ICPC arraigns civil servant for alleged forgery, payroll fraud

BLESSING OMALE, Abuja

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a senior civil servant, Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, over allegations of forgery and fraudulent manipulation of the federal government’s salary payment system.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commission’s Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Mr. Demola Bakare, the ICPC said Mrs. Esther was brought before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday, facing a three-count criminal charge.

According to the ICPC, Mrs. Esther, who served as a Principal Administrative Officer in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, allegedly forged a letter of posting dated January 20, 1998.

The document, bearing Reference No. HCSF/CMO/EMD/AOD/013/1/30 was purportedly issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Further investigations by the anti-corruption agency revealed that several documents submitted by the defendant, including her posting instruction, gazette, appointment letter, and confirmation letter, were falsified.

The Federal Civil Service Commission reportedly confirmed that no such records exist in its official database.

The situation took a more troubling turn when Mrs. Esther allegedly refused to appear before an investigative committee constituted by the Head of the Civil Service, prompting the suspension of her salary in November 2021.

However, the ICPC said that by January 2022, she had unlawfully restored her salary using her access to the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), without the necessary authorization from the Office of the Head of Service.

One of the charges against her specifically 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, bearing your name, Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, and six (6) others; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the FCT.”

Mrs. Esther pleaded not guilty to all charges when they were read in court.

Her counsel, Mr. Chima Okason, applied for bail on liberal terms, a request that was not opposed by the ICPC’s prosecuting counsel, Mrs. Olubunmi Ayo.

Justice Halilu granted bail with strict conditions. The defendant must present two credible sureties, each of whom must be serving directors in any federal parastatal within the FCT.

These sureties are required to submit evidence of their first and most recent promotions, subject to verification by the court registrar.

Additionally, they must sign an undertaking to be remanded in custody should the defendant abscond.

The case was adjourned to July 8, 2025, for the commencement of trial.

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