A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has found Mrs. Ramat Mba, a mother of five, guilty of forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, the late Abba Kyari. The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Mohammad, convicted her on a 5-count charge of cheating, fraud, and forgery.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned Mba in June 2022 for defrauding a job seeker, Ismail Adewole Oladipupo, of N700,000 under the guise of securing employment at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASDRA).
Justice Mohammad deferred sentencing until May 16, 2024, but ordered that Mba be remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre. The conviction serves as a warning to those engaging in fraudulent activities, and the court’s decision demonstrates its commitment to upholding justice.
The charges against Mba included:
– Cheating and fraud contrary to Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000
– Forgery contrary to Sections 320(b) and 366 of the Penal Code Cap 89 laws of Northern Nigeria
The court’s verdict marks a significant milestone in the fight against corruption and fraud in Nigeria.