A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gwagwalada, Abuja, has convicted a mother of five, Mrs. Ramat Mercy Mba, for forging the signature of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Chief of Staff, the late Abba Kyari.
The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, found her guilty on five counts of cheating, fraud, and forgery, and deferred sentencing until May 16, 2024.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned Mba in June 2022 on charges related to fraudulently inducing job seekers and forging documents, including a letterhead paper from the Office of the Chief of Staff and Abba Kyari’s signature.
The letter, addressed to the ICPC Chairman, requested the recruitment of three individuals, but the late Chief of Staff denied authorizing it.
During the trial, the ICPC’s prosecutor, Mr. Hamza Sani, presented evidence of Mba’s fraudulent activities, including inducing victims to pay her for fake job opportunities at government agencies like FIRS, NASRDA, and ICPC. The court also received documentary evidence of the forged letterhead paper and signature.
Justice Muhammad convicted Mba on four counts related to cheating and forgery but discharged her on the felony count. She has been remanded in Suleja Correctional Centre until sentencing.