A civil servant, Mrs Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for allegedly forging official documents and unlawfully reinstating her salary through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) while under suspension.
The civil servant was brought before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court on Monday. She is facing a three-count charge filed by the ICPC.
According to the Commission, Mrs Esther allegedly forged a letter of posting dated January 20, 1998, with Reference No. HCSF/CMO/EMD/AOD/013/1/30, purportedly issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The ICPC further claimed she submitted falsified documents — including a gazette, appointment letter, confirmation letter, and the posting instruction — while serving 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 also failed to honour an invitation by a committee set up by the Head of Service to investigate the alleged fake posting.
Her salary was subsequently suspended in November 2021.
In January 2022, she allegedly exploited her access as a role player on the IPPIS platform to unlawfully reinstate her salary without obtaining 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.
Her lawyer, Mr. Chima Okason, requested bail on liberal terms, which was not opposed by ICPC counsel, Mrs Olubunmi Ayo.
Justice Halilu granted Mrs Esther bail on the condition that she provides two credible sureties, both of whom must be serving directors in federal parastatals located within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The sureties are required to present proof of their initial and most recent promotions, along with a written undertaking agreeing to be remanded in custody should the defendant fail to appear in court.
The case has been adjourned until July 8, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
