ICPC charges man to court over fake diploma certificate

THE Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged one Mr Heart Victor Nonso, to court for allegedly forging a Diploma Certificate in Public Administration, of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi.

The commission, in a six-count charge, filed before Justice U.I. Bello, of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, observed that Mr Nonso forged the certificate with the intent to procure a fake transcript from the Federal Ministry of Education, for the purpose of facilitating his visa application with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The alleged offence, which was committed in 2018, contravened Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

ALSO READ:  #NigeriaDecides2019 | Data Visualisation: APC hauls 55 from collated…

The charge sheet reads in part, “Heart Victor Nonso, in Abuja, dishonestly made false Diploma Certificate of Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, with serial number FTPB/DIP/009018 with the intention of supporting the claim of completing a Diploma in Public Administration Course, at the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, when you knew you had not completed such course, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 363 and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 532 Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.”

According to a statement by the spokesperson for the commission, Mrs Rasheedat Okoduwa, a copy of which was made available to Tribune Online, the accused pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him, as his counsel, Mr Chijoke Kanu, pleaded with the court to grant him bail.

Though ICPC did not oppose the bail application, Justice Bello, ruled that the accused be remanded in Kuje Prisons until ruling on the bail application which has been set for March 6, 2019.