The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a director of the National Boundary Commission (NBC) and an Assistant Chief Accountant, Mrs. Rahila Ghaji, over allegations of forgery and abuse of office.
According to the ICPC, the two were accused of conspiring to enable Mrs. Ghaji’s participation in a senior promotion exercise and her subsequent confirmation to the rank of Chief Accountant (Level 14) at the NBC, despite her concurrent employment with Galaxy Backbone Limited. Mrs. Ghaji was also alleged to have forged an admission letter from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda. The letter, purportedly addressed to her husband, Suleiman Mishara, was allegedly used to support her application for leave of absence from the NBC.
The ICPC noted that the offences violated Section 26(1)(c) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, and are punishable under Section 19 of the same Act.
When the charges were read in court, both defendants pleaded not guilty. Following their pleas, the ICPC’s prosecuting counsel, Fatimah Bardi, requested a trial date to present evidence against the accused.
Counsel for the defendants, Akinyemi Aremu and Adebayo Eniwaye, filed bail applications on behalf of their clients, urging the court to grant them bail pending the hearing and determination of the case. The prosecution did not oppose the applications.
Justice Yusuf Halilu granted bail to the defendants under strict conditions. Each defendant is required to provide two sureties who must reside in Abuja. The sureties must also be civil servants holding director-level positions in federal agencies and present evidence of their first employment and last promotion.
Additionally, the judge mandated that the sureties sign undertakings to ensure the defendants’ presence in court throughout the trial. The sureties also risk imprisonment should they fail to produce the defendants in court.
The defendants were ordered to deposit their travel documents with the court registrar. Until they meet the bail conditions, Justice Halilu directed that they be remanded at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
The case has been adjourned to March 17 for the commencement of the trial.
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