The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Mr. Iyonu Eseme, a staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), for using a forged Trade Test Certificate to obtain employment with the agency.
Eseme was arraigned before Honourable Justice M.I. Tanko of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a three-count charge bordering on forgery. The charges were brought under Sections 366 and 368 of the Penal Code Act, as well as Section 25 (1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.
One of the charges read: “That you, Iyonu Eseme (M), sometime in the month of August 2020 at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did with intent to commit fraud, forge a Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity Certificate of Competence also known as Trade Test Certificate I, II, III (2014) with trade test code KN/6/90052, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.”
Upon arraignment, the defendant, through his counsel, Mr. Anthony Idanosa Eruaga, opted for a plea bargain. The prosecuting counsel for the ICPC, Mr. Nura Saidu, accepted the plea bargain in accordance with Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015 and recommended to the court a conviction with a fine.
Justice Tanko, having considered the plea and the agreement reached by both parties, convicted Eseme and sentenced him to a fine of Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000.00) only.
In a statement, the ICPC reiterated its commitment to ensuring integrity and transparency in public institutions and warned that acts of forgery and other corrupt practices will not go unpunished.
(Guardian)
