The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a former official of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), Muhammad Said Musa, over the use of forged academic and service certificates to gain public employment.

Justice B. Mandy Bassi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, sitting in Asokoro, Abuja, delivered the conviction on Wednesday following a one-count amended charge filed under a plea bargain agreement.

The court found that Musa falsely presented a forged Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science, purportedly issued by the University of Maiduguri, alongside a fake National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Certificate of National Service, which he used to secure employment at the NIPC.

The fraud was uncovered during a Staff Verification Audit initiated by the Executive Secretary of the NIPC and referred to the ICPC. Investigations and independent verification by the Commission confirmed that both certificates were forged.

Prosecuting counsel, Barrister O. R. Bada, told the court that the offence contravened Section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

He disclosed that Musa was initially arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on forgery and false statements, but the charges were reduced following his application for leniency and cooperation with investigators.

As part of the plea bargain, the defendant refunded N36,590,943.21, representing salaries and benefits earned through the false representation, into the ICPC Recovery Account.

Defence counsel, Barr. C.O.C. Emeka Izima, said his client was remorseful and had shown genuine repentance by returning all proceeds of the crime.

In her judgment, Justice Bassi upheld the plea bargain agreement and handed down a non-custodial sentence, ordering the convict to maintain good conduct and pay a fine of N50,000.

The ICPC in it statement said the conviction underscores its zero-tolerance stance against corruption and its commitment to sanitising the public service and enforcing accountability across government institutions.