The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) has obtained a bench warrant for the arrest of Jubrin Buba, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for failing to appear in court for arraignment.
The Federal Capital Territory High Court, Apo, issued the warrant on Wednesday.
The case was slated for arraignment de novo, but neither Buba, his lawyer, nor his surety appeared in court despite being duly notified.
In response to the defendant’s absence, the ICPC counsel, Mr. Aniekan Ekong, requested the court to issue the bench warrant and to summon the surety to explain why the bail bond should not be forfeited to the federal government.
Justice Binta Dogonyaro granted the request and adjourned the matter to March 4, 2025, for arraignment and hearing.
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Buba faces a six-count charge of forgery and false statement. The ICPC alleges that in February 2015, he presented a fake bachelor of science degree certificate in oublic administration, purportedly issued by the University of Jos in 2009, to secure employment with the NSCDC.
The commission claims Buba’s actions contravene Section 366 of the Penal Code, punishable under Section 364.
He is also charged under Section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, for making false statements to a public officer.
Buba was initially arraigned in 2022 before Justice Asma’u Akanbi at the FCT High Court in Kubwa.
Following Justice Akanbi’s elevation to the Court of Appeal, the case was reassigned to Justice Binta Dogonyaro at the FCT High Court in Apo.