A Federal civil servant, Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, gas been dragged before the Federal Capital Territory High Court by the Independent Corruption Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
Esther is alleged to have forged official posting documents and unlawfully manipulating the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to draw salaries while under suspension.
This was contained in a press release issued on Wednesday by ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare.
According to the statement, the defendant, a Principal Administrative Officer with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, is facing a three-count charge bordering on forgery and fraud.
ICOC alleges that Esther forged a posting letter dated 20th January 1998 with reference number HCSF/CMO/EMD/AOD/013/1/30, purportedly issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The statement further stated that Esther submitted documents—including the posting instruction, appointment letter, and confirmation of appointment—were all falsified.
“Verification by the Federal Civil Service Commission confirmed that no such records existed in its database,” the ICPC statement added.
The anti-crime agency stated that in addition, Mrs. Esther reportedly failed to appear before an investigative committee set up by the Head of Service. Which prompted her salary to be suspended in November 2021.
The statement added that ICPC investigations later revealed that Esther manipulated the IPPIS platform in January 2022 to illegally restore her salary payments without formal clearance.
One of the charges filed reads:
“That you, Oluwafunmilayo Esther (F), on or about 2021 in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to commit fraud, did forge a document to wit: a posting letter dated 17th June 2021, with Reference No. HCSF/CMO/EMD/002/S.12/T.4.110, purportedly emanating from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation… and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the FCT.”
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read to her
Her counsel, Chima Okason, requested that the court grant her bail on liberal terms.
The prosecution, represented by Olubunmi Ayo, did not oppose the application.
The presiding Judge, Justice Yusuf Halilu, granted her bail with strict conditions. These included the provision of two sureties who must be serving Federal Directors within the FCT.
According to the judge, the sureties are required to present evidence of their civil service promotions. And are to sign a written undertaking to be remanded in custody should the defendant abscond.
The case has been adjourned to July 8, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
source: Daily Trust.