Justice A.A. Bawale of Katsina State High has convicted a Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Sani Lawal, over an employment fraud involving ₦920,000.
The verdict follows the prosecution of the senior NSCDC officer by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
While the defendant was initially arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on employment fraud, the conviction was entered on two counts in line with the terms of the plea bargain agreement adopted by the court.
The judge delivered the judgement after the defendant agreed to a plea bargain reached between the prosecution and the defence.
The court sentenced the convict to pay a fine of ₦100,000.
According to the ICPC, Lawal fraudulently collected ₦920,000 from two job seekers in 2024 by falsely promising to secure employment for them in the NSCDC.
Counsel to the ICPC, Haruna Hedima, told the court that although the defendant was originally arraigned on an eight-count charge, the conviction was based on two counts in line with the plea bargain agreement accepted by the court.
The offences contravened Section 25(1)(a) and are punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Justice Bawale adopted the plea bargain as the judgement of the court, bringing the prosecution to a close.
Reacting to the conviction, J. Okor Odey, the Head, Media and Public Communications, ICPC, said the judgement demonstrates its commitment to tackling corruption, particularly fraudulent recruitment schemes that prey on unsuspecting Nigerians.
The anti-corruption agency warned members of the public against paying money to individuals who promise employment in government ministries, departments and agencies, stressing that public service recruitment follows established procedures and not unofficial payments.
The Commission also urged Nigerians to report suspected employment scams through its official reporting channels, reaffirming its determination to investigate and prosecute all acts of corruption.
