Civil Servant Arraigned by ICPC for Alleged Forgery and Unlawful Salary Fraud

• Mrs. Esther is facing a three-count charge for allegedly forging official documents and unlawfully reinstating her salary
• Mrs. Esther allegedly falsified a letter of posting dated January 20, 1998, purportedly issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. 
• A verification process conducted by the Federal Civil Service Commission reportedly confirmed that none of the submitted documents existed in official records.

A Nigerian civil servant, Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, was arraigned on Monday by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court.

Eko Hot Blog reports that Mrs. Esther is facing a three-count charge for allegedly forging official documents and unlawfully reinstating her salary through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) while under suspension.

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According to the Commission, Mrs. Esther allegedly falsified a letter of posting dated January 20, 1998, purportedly issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

She is also accused of submitting several other fake documents, including a gazette, appointment letter, confirmation letter, and posting instruction, during her service as a Principal Administrative Officer at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

A verification process conducted by the Federal Civil Service Commission reportedly confirmed that none of the submitted documents existed in official records.

Mrs. Esther’s salary was suspended in November 2021, following her failure to honour an invitation by a committee set up by the Head of Service to investigate the alleged fake posting.

The ICPC’s arraignment of Mrs. Esther underscores Nigeria’s commitment to addressing corruption and ensuring transparency within the public sector.

The ongoing legal proceedings will shed more light on the allegations and determine the outcome of this high-profile case.

She is also accused of exploiting her access as a role player on the IPPIS platform in January 2022 and unlawfully reinstated her salary without obtaining the required approval from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

Count One of the charge read: “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.”

She pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.

Mr. Chima Okason, requested bail on liberal terms, which was not opposed by the ICPC counsel, Mrs. Olubunmi Ayo.

Justice Yusuf Halilu granted Mrs. Esther bail, provided she presents two credible sureties who must be serving directors in federal parastatals within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

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These sureties are required to furnish proof of their initial and most recent promotions, as well as a written commitment to be held in custody should the defendant fail to appear in court.

The case has been adjourned until July 8, 2025, when the trial will commence.

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