Ex-NIPC Official Convicted for Forged Certificates, Ex-Ministers Remain Free Amid Corruption Links

In a corruption case, a former official of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) was convicted by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja for using forged academic certificates. The official, Musa Tijani, presented a fake Bachelor of Science degree and NYSC certificate.

He entered a plea bargain, admitting to the fraud and refunding over 36.5 million naira. Meanwhile, two former ministers, Kemi Adeosun and Uchenna Nnaji, have been linked to forged NYSC certificates but remain free.

Adeosun resigned in 2018 after admitting to submitting a fake NYSC exemption certificate, while Nnaji reportedly acknowledged submitting forged credentials. The law prescribes penalties for absconding from the NYSC scheme or forging its certificates.

The court upheld the plea bargain agreement with Musa, imposing a non-custodial sentence and a fine.