NSCDC official arraigned over fake certificate used for promotion

An officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, Anthony Damisa, has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for alleged forgery and making of false statement.

Damisa was arraigned before Justice M. E. Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja.

The ICPC, in a Charge No: CR/348/2022 filed before the court, said the accused person used a forged Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree in Public Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) and a forged National Diploma Certificate in General Agriculture from the College of Agriculture, Yandev, Benue State to seek higher placement in the NSCDC.

ICPC also informed the court that an investigation revealed that the certificates presented by the defendant to his employer did not emanate from the claimed institutions.

The commission in a four-count charge further accused the defendant of making false statement to officers of ICPC while on their official duties.

The ICPC noted that the defendant’s offences are contrary to Section 366, and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act, Cap 89, Laws of the FCT and Section 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

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Damisa, however, pleaded “not guilty” when the charges were read to him in court on Wednesday.

Following his plea, the defence counsel, Ibrahim Alhassan, raised a bail application on behalf of his client which was not opposed by the prosecution counsel, Ebiye Oglafa.

The NSCDV official was later admitted to bail in the sum of N2 million and a surety in like sum who must be a civil servant not below grade level 10.

He was also ordered to deposit either his International Passport or Driver’s License as well as two passport photographs.

The presiding judge, therefore, adjourned the matter to April 4, 2023, for commencement of hearing.

The Star