The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a civil servant, Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court for allegedly forging official documents and unlawfully manipulating the Federal Government’s salary platform, the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS), to collect salaries while under suspension.
The arraignment took place before Justice Yusuf Halilu on Monday, following a three-count charge filed by the ICPC.
According to the Commission, Mrs. Esther, who worked as a Principal Administrative Officer in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, was accused of forging a posting letter dated January 20, 1998, bearing Reference No.HCSF/CMO/EMD/AOD/013/1/30.
The letter was said to have been purportedly issued by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
ICPC’s investigation revealed that several documents submitted by the defendant, including the appointment letter, confirmation letter, gazette, and posting instruction, were all falsified.
These claims were later confirmed by the Federal Civil Service Commission, which stated that it found no record of such documents in its database.
The Commission further disclosed that Mrs. Esther refused to respond to an invitation from a panel set up by the Head of Civil Service to verify the authenticity of the posting letter, prompting the suspension of her salary in November 2021.
However, by January 2022, she allegedly bypassed standard protocol and restored her salary on the IPPIS platform without receiving the necessary clearance.
In Count One of the charge, the ICPC stated: “That you, Oluwafunmilayo Esther (F), on or about 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to commit fraud, did forge a document to wit: a posting letter dated 17th June 2021, with Reference No. HCSF/CMO/EMD/002/S.12/T.4.110, purportedly emanating from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, bearing your name, Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, and six (6) others; and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the FCT.”
When the charges were read, the defendant pleaded “not guilty.”
Her legal representative, Mr. Chima Okason, requested that the court grant her bail on liberal terms. The application was not opposed by ICPC counsel, Mrs. Olubunmi Ayo.
Justice Halilu granted bail with stringent conditions.
The defendant must present two credible sureties who are currently serving directors in the federal civil service within the FCT.
Each surety must submit documentation of their first and most recent promotions for court verification.
Additionally, the sureties must provide a written undertaking, affirming that they would accept detention in the defendant’s place should she abscond.
The court adjourned the matter to July 8, 2025, for the commencement of trial.
