By Anamati Inyang – December 8, 2025
A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Officer Hassan Abdullahi, to a total of seven years imprisonment for offences related to certificate forgery and corrupt advantage.
Justice E. Okpe delivered the judgement after examining the two-count charge filed against Abdullahi by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
During the trial, ICPC prosecutor, Hamza Sani, presented evidence showing that Abdullahi, a Superintendent of the Corps, submitted a forged Nigeria Certificate in Education purportedly issued by Adamu Augie College of Education, Argungu, Kebbi State. He allegedly presented the document to NSCDC in December 2010 to aid his career progression.
The court held that the act breaches Section 366 of the constitution. That it is punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act. Justice Okpe subsequently sentenced him to two years imprisonment or a fine of ₦2,000,000 for the offence.
On the second charge, the court found that between December 2011 and October 2022, Abdullahi used the forged certificate to obtain salaries, allowances and rank benefits meant for a Senior Inspector, thereby gaining unlawful advantage while serving as a public officer.
This conduct contravenes Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The court sentenced him to five years imprisonment without an option of fine.
In addition, relying on Section 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015), the court ordered Abdullahi to refund all salaries, allowances and emoluments he received from the date he illegally upgraded his position.
The ICPC described the judgement as a clear message that public service misconduct and fraudulent advancement will not go unpunished, urging Government Agencies to strengthen their verification processes to prevent similar abuse.
