The Independent Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged one Umar Abubakar with forgery and employment fraud.
Abubakar appeared before Adamawa State High Court 1’s Honourable Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman in Yola, the state capital.
The Commission charged the defendant in Charge No: HC/ADSY/127C/2022 with obtaining N200,000 from an unsuspecting job seeker under the false pretence that he would assist his victim in obtaining employment with ICPC.
The ICPC informed the Court in a three-count charge that the accused person fraudulently faked, signed, and issued a letter of temporary appointment from the anti-graft Commission to his victim when he knew such a letter did not originate from the Commission.
The Court was further told that the defendant demanded for gratification in the sum of One Million Naira (N1,000,000) to enable him carry out the nefarious exercise.
His actions are contrary to Section 17(1)(a) and punishable under Section 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and contrary to, and punishable under Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, as well as contrary to Section 349 punishable under Section 351 of the Penal Code Law of Adamawa State, 2018.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were read to him.
The defense counsel thereafter moved for a bail application on behalf of his client which was not opposed to by counsel to ICPC, Mr. Anas Kolo, who however, enjoined the court to impose stringent measure that will compel the defendant to attend his trial.
The trial judge then granted the accused person bail in the sum of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200,000:00) and a surety in like sum who must reside within jurisdiction of the court.
The matter has been adjourned to the 15th of June, 2023, for commencement of trial.