The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mrs. Aishatu Abdullahi, Director of Administration and Supplies, and Mrs. Ghaji Rahila, Assistant Chief Accountant of the National Boundary Commission, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
The duo appeared before Justice Yusuf Halilu on a five-count charge of forgery, conspiracy, and abuse of office.
Allegations
The ICPC alleged that the officials conspired to allow Mrs. Rahila to participate in a senior promotion exercise at the National Boundary Commission, securing her promotion to Chief Accountant (Level 14) while concurrently employed at Galaxy Backbone Limited.
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Additionally, Mrs. Rahila is accused of forging an admission letter from Carnegie Mellon University, Rwanda, purportedly addressed to her husband, to justify her leave of absence from the Commission.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Ghaji Rahila (F) and Aishatu Abdullahi (F), sometime in 2021 or thereabout in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, as Assistant Chief Accountant and Director of Administration & Supplies of the National Boundary Commission respectively, did conspire amongst yourselves to commit an offence to wit: conferring unfair advantage when you allowed the said Ghaji Rahila to participate in the senior staff promotion exercise at the National Boundary Commission while she was at the same time in the employment of Galaxy Backbone Limited; thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 26(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Plea and Bail
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all charges.
ICPC counsel Fatimah Abdullahi Bardi requested a date for trial commencement. Defense counsels Akinyemi Aremu and Adebayo Eniwaye moved for bail, which was unopposed by the prosecution.
Justice Halilu granted bail under stringent conditions, including two sureties each who must be Abuja residents and federal civil servants of director rank. The sureties must also sign undertakings to ensure the defendants’ court appearances, or face imprisonment.
The defendants were ordered to surrender their travel documents to the court. Failure to meet these bail conditions would result in their remand at Suleja Prison until the next court date.
Next Hearing
The case was adjourned to March 17, 2025, for the commencement of trial.