“FCT Court Issues Bench Warrant for NSCDC Officer’s Arrest Over Forgery Charges”
Justice Binta Dogonyaro of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Apo, has ordered the arrest of Jubrin Buba, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), after he failed to appear in court following his earlier release on bail.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned Buba before Justice Asma’u Akanbi of the FCT High Court in Kubwa for alleged forgery and submitting false statements. However, when the case was reassigned to Justice Dogonyaro after Justice Akanbi’s elevation to the Court of Appeal, Buba’s re-arraignment was scheduled for Thursday.
Despite being notified of the proceedings, neither Buba, his lawyer, nor his surety appeared in court. The absence of the defendant and his legal representative prompted ICPC’s counsel, Mr. Aniekan Ekong, to express surprise, noting that the defendant had been duly informed of the hearing.
As a result, the prosecution requested that a bench warrant be issued for Buba’s arrest and that his surety be summoned to explain why the bail bond should not be forfeited to the Federal Government. Justice Dogonyaro granted the request, issuing a bench warrant for Buba’s arrest.
Buba is facing six charges related to forgery and providing false statements. The ICPC accuses him of fraudulently presenting a fake BSc degree certificate in Public Administration from the University of Jos to secure employment with the NSCDC in February 2015. The charge also includes making false statements to a public officer, a violation under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Justice Dogonyaro adjourned the case until March 4 for arraignment and further proceedings.
