The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned in Court an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, Anthony Damisa, on allegations of criminal offences.
A statement on Thursday by the ICPC spokesperson, Mrs Azuka Ogugua, said that Damisa was arraigned before Justice M. E. Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja for alleged forgery and issuing of false statements.
In a Charge No: CR/348/2022 filed before the trial court, the ICPC alleged that the accused person used a forged Bachelor of Science (BSc) Degree in Public Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT)
Furthermore, the suspect is also accused of forging a National Diploma (ND) Certificate in General Agriculture from the College of Agriculture, Yandev in Benue State to seek higher placement in his place of work, the Corps.
Also, the anti-graft agency informed the court that investigation activities revealed the certificates presented by the defendant to his employers were not from the said institutions as claimed.
In a four-count charge, the ICPC accused the defendant of making false statements to its officers while on official duties, adding that the 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.
However, the accused person pleaded not guilty and his counsel Ibrahim Alhassan, thereafter, raised a bail application which was not opposed by the Prosecution Counsel, Ebiye Oglafa.
Consequently, the defendant was then admitted to bail in the sum of N2,000,000 and a surety in like sum who must be a civil servant not below grade level 10.
Additionally, he was ordered to deposit with the Court either his International Passport or Driver’s Licence as well as two passport photographs and the case was adjourned to April 4, 2023 for the hearing to commence.
