The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has arraigned a Deputy Director of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Yusuf Abubakar Mustapha, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, over alleged certificate forgery and related offences.
Mustapha was docked on Tuesday before Justice S.U. Bature of Court 22 on a three-count charge bordering on forgery, fraudulent presentation of forged documents and making false statements to ICPC investigators.
According to the anti-graft agency, the defendant allegedly forged his academic certificate to secure employment with the NIPC in 2010.
ICPC told the court that Mustapha claimed he graduated from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, Second Class Honours (Lower Division), a qualification he reportedly presented when he was employed by the commission on May 5, 2010.
However, investigations by the commission allegedly revealed discrepancies in the certificate submitted by the defendant.
The ICPC said responses obtained from Ahmadu Bello University indicated that the certificate was not issued by the institution. Further documents from the university, including graduation lists and the defendant’s academic transcript, allegedly showed that Mustapha graduated with a Third-Class degree, contrary to the Second-Class degree certificate he presented.
The commission further alleged that the Second-Class degree certificate and statement of result submitted by the defendant were forged and materially different from the authentic Third-Class degree certificate issued by ABU.
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The offences are said to be contrary to Sections 363, 364 and 366 of the Penal Code Laws of the Federation, as well as Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
One of the charges read in court stated that Mustapha, “being a public officer serving as a deputy director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Abuja, sometime in 2010, did forge a Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) degree certificate with Second Class Honours (Lower Division), purportedly issued by Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, with intent to commit fraud.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all three counts.
Following his plea, prosecution counsel, David Nwaze, asked the court to fix a date for trial, while defence counsel, Denen Kya, moved a bail application on behalf of the defendant, urging the court to grant bail on liberal terms.
After hearing arguments from both parties, Justice Bature granted Mustapha bail in the sum of ₦10m with one surety resident within the court’s jurisdiction.
The case was adjourned to May 5, 2026, for commencement of trial.
