The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned Hauwau Abdulkarim, the serving Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) in Zamfara State, and Abdullahi Boyi, a lecturer from Sokoto State College of Education, over allegations of certificate forgery.
According to The PUNCH, the ICPC allegedly forged an appointment letter, which was then used by Abdulkarim to apply for the Provost position.
They are also accused of providing false information during the investigation, offenses that contravene Section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, and are punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the same act.
The ICPC’s spokesperson, Demola Bakare, disclosed that both defendants pleaded not guilty to the six charges brought against them. One of the charges states: “That you, Hauwa’u Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim and Abdullahi Boyi, sometime in 2023 in Sokoto, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to commit forgery of a letter of ‘Notification for Appointment’ to the post of Chief Lecturer on COMPCASS 14 with effect from January 1, 2017. You thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 59(1) and punishable under Section 60(2) of the Sokoto State Penal Code Law, 2019.”
Counsel for the defendants, Dr. Muhammad Aliyu and Mr. M.S. Diri, requested the court grant bail, emphasizing their clients’ cooperation throughout the investigation and stable professional status. ICPC’s counsel, Suleiman Ahmad, did not oppose the bail applications.
After deliberating, Justice Muhammad Sambo granted bail under strict conditions. “Each defendant must provide two sureties who are permanent residents of Sokoto State,” the judge ruled, adding, “The sureties are required to sign a bond of ₦1,000,000.”
The ICPC prosecutor confirmed the commission’s readiness to proceed with the trial, requesting a date for witnesses and evidence to be presented. “We are prepared to support our case with strong evidence,” Suleiman Ahmad stated.
Justice Sambo scheduled the hearing to commence on November 21, 2024.
