ICPC Case: Mother of Five Found Guilty for Falsifying Signature of Late Abba Kyari
A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has reached a verdict, finding Mrs. Ramat Mba, a mother of five, guilty of forging the signature of the late Abba Kyari, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Mohammad, postponed the sentencing of the convicted individual until Thursday, May 16, 2024, but ordered her to be detained at the Suleja Correctional Centre.
Mrs. Mba was charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in June 2022 with five counts, including cheating, fraud, and forgery, contrary to various sections of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 200 and the Penal Code Cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria.
During the trial, the ICPC’s Prosecutor, Mr. Hamza Sani, presented evidence showing how Mrs. Mba deceived individuals by promising them employment with government agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), and the ICPC itself.
Additionally, documentary evidence was presented indicating that Mrs. Mba forged a letterhead from the Office of the Chief of Staff to the President and the signature of Abba Kyari. The letter, addressed to the Chairman of the ICPC, requested the recruitment of three individuals by the Commission. However, a written response from the late Chief of Staff, also presented in court, disavowed any authorization from him or his office for the letter.
Justice Ibrahim Muhammad delivered a verdict, convicting Mrs. Mba on counts 1, 2, 3, and 5, which pertain to cheating and forgery, while acquitting her on count 4, related to felony.
