Bench Warrant Issued For NSCDC Staff Absent At Arraignment Over Documents Forgery.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has successfully obtained a bench warrant from the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Apo, Abuja, against Jubrin Buba, an employee of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). This action follows Buba’s failure to appear in court for his arraignment.
The legal proceedings in the case titled Federal Republic of Nigeria vs Jubrin Buba were scheduled for Wednesday. However, neither Buba, his lawyer, nor his surety appeared, despite prior notification.
Mr. Aniekan Ekong, counsel for the ICPC, moved the court to issue a bench warrant for Buba’s arrest and to notify the surety to justify why the bail bond should not be forfeited to the federal government. Honourable Justice Binta Dogonyaro, presiding over the case, granted the application and set the next arraignment and hearing for the 4th of March, 2025.
Buba faces a six-count charge involving forgery and providing false statements. According to the ICPC, in February 2015, Buba allegedly presented a forged Bachelor of Science degree certificate in Public Administration, purportedly from the University of Jos, dated 7th October 2009, to secure employment with the NSCDC. Such acts of forgery are deemed offences under Section 366 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code.
This case was initially heard in 2022 before Honourable Justice Asma’u Akanbi at the FCT High Court in Kubwa. However, due to Justice Akanbi’s elevation to the Court of Appeal, the matter was reassigned to FCT High Court 46 in Apo, where it is now under the jurisdiction of Honourable Justice Binta Dogonyaro.
The charges against Buba include:
Counts one and two: Making false statements to a public officer, which contravenes section 25 (1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Counts three to four: Charges of forgery as per section 364 of the Penal Code.
The ICPC continues its efforts to uphold integrity and accountability within public service by addressing such allegations of corruption and fraud. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for similar incidents involving public servants using falsified credentials for employment.
