A High Court sitting in Minna, Niger State, has convicted and sentenced a former staff member of the National Examinations Council (NECO), Abdulwahab Sule, to a total of 24 years imprisonment for certificate forgery and related offences.
The conviction followed a case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which investigated and prosecuted the matter.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Abdullahi Mikailu of the High Court of Niger State, in a case marked NSHC/ICPC/1C/2023.
Sule, who was dismissed from NECO in 2020, was found guilty on a three-count charge. The charges included dishonestly using a forged document as genuine, possession of a forged document, and making false statements to his employer.
According to details presented in court, the former NECO staff had used a fake Diploma certificate to secure employment with the examination body in January 2009. He remained in service for over a decade before the fraud was uncovered.
Investigations by the ICPC revealed that the certificate Sule presented was claimed to have been issued by the Federal University of Technology Yola, now known as the Modibbo Adama University Yola.
However, verification carried out by the institution showed that the certificate did not originate from the university. The school confirmed that Sule did not graduate and still had outstanding courses at the time he claimed to have completed his programme.
The forged certificate was dated March 18, 2008, and was used by Sule to gain employment at NECO, an agency responsible for conducting major national examinations in Nigeria.
Further findings also showed that Sule made false claims during internal checks by NECO. In August 2020, he reportedly told the Director of Human Resource Management at the council that he had obtained the Diploma certificate, even though he knew this was not true.
During the investigation, Sule admitted to the crime. He confessed that he did not complete his studies and disclosed that he paid N30,000 to an individual to obtain the forged certificate.
The court, after reviewing the evidence and hearing arguments from both sides, found him guilty on all three counts.
Justice Mikailu sentenced Sule to 12 years imprisonment on the first count, 10 years on the second count, and 2 years on the third count. The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 12 years in prison.
The case has once again highlighted the issue of certificate forgery in Nigeria’s public and private sectors, a problem that has raised concerns about integrity and standards in employment processes.
The ICPC, in its reaction, said the conviction shows its commitment to tackling corruption and promoting accountability in public institutions.
The Commission warned that individuals who engage in forgery, falsification of records, and other corrupt practices would continue to face the full weight of the law.
“This conviction sends a clear message that acts of corruption, including certificate forgery, will not go unpunished,” the agency stated.
The ICPC also called on organisations, both in the public and private sectors, to strengthen their internal systems, especially in the area of staff recruitment and verification of credentials.
In recent years, there have been several reports of individuals using fake certificates to secure jobs or gain promotions. This has led to calls for stricter measures, including direct verification with issuing institutions and the use of digital databases.
NECO, where Sule worked before his dismissal, is one of Nigeria’s key examination bodies. It is responsible for conducting the Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE) and other national assessments.
Because of its role in the education sector, the integrity of its staff and operations is considered very important. Any breach of trust, such as the use of fake credentials, can affect public confidence in the institution.
Sule’s dismissal in 2020 followed internal checks that uncovered irregularities in his academic records. This eventually led to a full investigation by the ICPC, which brought the matter to court.
They note that while the sentence may appear severe, it serves as a deterrent to others who may be considering similar actions.
The issue of fake certificates is not limited to Nigeria, but it has become a significant concern in the country due to the high demand for jobs and educational qualifications.
Authorities have repeatedly warned that presenting false documents is a criminal offence that can lead to dismissal, prosecution, and imprisonment.
For many Nigerians, the case is a reminder of the need for honesty and transparency, especially in matters related to education and employment.
The ICPC has assured the public that it will continue to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption across all sectors.
It also encouraged citizens to report suspicious activities and support efforts to build a system based on merit and integrity.
As the country continues to address challenges related to corruption, cases like Sule’s are likely to remain in focus as examples of the consequences of breaking the law.
The Commission maintained that strengthening institutions and enforcing rules are key steps toward improving governance and restoring public trust.