The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has secured the conviction of two staff members of the National Assembly, Mustapha Mohammed and Tijjani Adam Goni, for their involvement in a job scam worth ₦4.8 million.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, the case originated from a petition numbered ICPC/P/NC/1056/2022 filed by the victims. The petition detailed how the defendants, in collaboration with another suspect currently at large, collected ₦4.8 million to facilitate fake job offers.
The duo were convicted by Justice B.M. Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court 55, sitting in Asokoro, Abuja, after being found guilty of defrauding two victims — Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar — under the pretext of securing employment for them at the Central Bank of Nigeria and the Federal Inland Revenue Service.
“Investigations revealed that Mustapha Mohammed had introduced himself as a National Assembly staff member with close connections at the CBN and FIRS. He allegedly demanded ₦4 million each from the complainants, assuring them that their appointment letters would be released by April 27, 2021.
“The petitioners later deposited ₦3 million into a Zenith Bank account belonging to one of the defendants and were subsequently asked to pay an additional ₦300,000 each for purported medical screening, which was paid into another Access Bank account.
“Following a detailed investigation, the ICPC arraigned the suspects on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006 and the Penal Code.
“Prosecution counsel, Fatima Abdullahi Bardi, told the court that the defendants forged employment letters purportedly issued by the CBN and FIRS to deceive their victims.”
The statement further said, “However, under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which allows plea bargaining, the defendants pleaded guilty to an amended one-count charge of making false statements, contrary to Section 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
“As part of the plea agreement, they refunded the entire ₦4.8 million to the ICPC Recovery Account and were each fined ₦100,000.”
The ICPC reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring accountability and integrity in public service, warning Nigerians to be wary of fraudulent job offers and to always verify claims through appropriate channels.
