The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mrs. Aishatu Abdullahi, Director of Administration and Supplies, and Mrs. Ghaji Rahila, Assistant Chief Accountant of the National Boundary Commission, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
The duo appeared before Justice Yusuf Halilu on Tuesday, facing a five-count charge of forgery, conspiracy, and abuse of office. According to the ICPC, the two officials allegedly conspired to allow Mrs. Rahila to participate in the senior promotion exercise at the National Boundary Commission, enabling her promotion to Chief Accountant (Level 14) while she was concurrently employed by Galaxy Backbone Limited.
Furthermore, Mrs. Rahila is accused of forging an admission letter from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda, allegedly addressed to her husband, to support her leave of absence application at the National Boundary Commission.
One of the charges states:
“That you, Ghaji Rahila (F) and Aishatu Abdullahi (F), sometime in 2021 or thereabout in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, as Assistant Chief Accountant and Director of Administration & Supplies of the National Boundary Commission respectively, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: conferring unfair advantage when you allowed the said Ghaji Rahila to participate in the senior staff promotion exercise at the National Boundary Commission while she was at the same time in the employment of Galaxy Backbone Limited; thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following their pleas, ICPC counsel Fatimah Abdullahi Bardi requested a trial date. Defense counsels Akinyemi Aremu and Adebayo Eniwaye filed bail applications for their clients, which were unopposed by the prosecution.
Justice Halilu granted bail to the defendants under strict conditions. Each must provide two sureties who are residents of Abuja and civil servants of director rank in a federal agency. The sureties must also sign undertakings guaranteeing the defendants’ court appearances throughout the trial or face imprisonment. Additionally, the defendants were ordered to surrender their travel documents to the court.
The judge stated, “The said defendants shall also deposit their travelling documents with the Registrar of the court. In the event that they (defendants) failed to meet these conditions, they should be remanded in Suleja Prison till the next adjourned date.”
The case has been adjourned to March 17, 2025, for the commencement of the hearing.
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Source: Chronicles Reporters