By Ed Malik, A | ed@ddnewsonline.com | posted January 15th, 2025
The Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has arraigned in court, Mrs. Aishatu Abdullahi, a Director of Administration and Supplies with the National Boundary Commission and Mrs. Ghaji Rahila, an Assistant Chief Accountant of the same agency over allegations of forgery and abuse of office.
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Aimed ostensibly to curbing corruption, the duo was arraigned on Tuesday before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
ICPC, in a five-count charge, as stated by its spokesman, Demola Bakare, accused the defendants of conspiring amongst themselves to allow the first defendant (Ghaji Rahila) participate in the senior promotion exercise as well as her confirmation to the next rank of Chief Accountant (Level 14) at the National Boundary Commission while she was at the same time in the employment of Galaxy Backbone Limited.
The Commission also accused the first defendant (Ghaji Rahila) of forging an admission letter from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda (that was purportedly addressed to her Husband, Suleiman Mishara) with the intention to support her application for leave of absence at the National Boundary Commission.
The alleged allegations border on conspiracy and forgery.
According to the charges, the defendants allegedly conspired to enable the first defendant, Ghaji Rahila, to participate in a senior promotion exercise and secure confirmation to the rank of Chief Accountant (Level 14) at the National Boundary Commission while she was still employed by Galaxy Backbone Limited.
Also, Rahila is accused of forging an admission letter purportedly from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda, allegedly addressed to her husband, Suleiman Mishara. This forged document was allegedly used to support her application for a leave of absence from the National Boundary Commission.
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The ICPC considers these actions a violation of ethical standards and laws governing public service in Nigeria. The case underscores the Commission’s commitment to addressing corruption and maintaining integrity in the public sector.
Count 3 of the charge reads: “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 LTD; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act,2000.”
They however pleaded not guilty when the 5-count charge was read to them.
Counsel to ICPC, Fatimah Abdullahi Bardi, on the ground of “not guilty” pleas entered by the two defendants, applied to the court to give a date for the commencement of trial.
Counsel to the first and second defendants, Akinyemi Aremu and Adebayo Eniwaye, respectfully moved applications for bail on behalf of their clients.
In view of the non-opposition to the bail application by the prosecution counsel and other grounds cited in the applications, the presiding judge granted the two accused persons’ bail with the conditions that they shall provide two sureties each who must be residents of Abuja, a civil servant on the rank of director in any federal parastatal with evidence of first employment and last promotion.
The trial judge added that “such directors must sign letters of undertaking to produce the defendants in court throughout their trial and agreed to be put in prison upon failure to produce the first and second defendants in court.
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“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 judge ruled.
The case was adjourned to 17th of March, 2025 for commencement of hearing. Further court proceedings will reveal more details regarding the defense and the evidence presented by the prosecution.