The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned Yusuf Mustapha, a Deputy Director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), before a FCT High Court in Maitama on Tuesday. Mustapha faces a three-count charge involving the alleged forgery of academic credentials used to secure his employment.
However, the ICPC revealed that university documents expose Mustapha’s second-class certificate as a fraud, confirming he actually graduated with a third-class degree.
In a sharp escalation of the case, the anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant swapped a genuine third-class degree for a forged second-class certificate, asserting that the documents submitted were materially inconsistent with official university records.
The defendant faces a multi-count charge including forgery and the fraudulent use of forged documents, both punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code. Additionally, the accused is charged with misleading investigators by providing false statements to an ICPC officer, a violation of Section 25 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
In a definitive rebuttal of the charges, Mustapha pleaded not guilty to all counts.
With the plea entered, the legal battle shifted focus: prosecution lead David Nwaze sought a swift trial date, while defense attorney Denen Kya pushed for his client’s release, filing a motion to secure bail on liberal terms.
After fierce arguments, the defendant secured N10 million bail, with the caveat of a local surety. The trial proper is now set to begin on May 5, 2026.
