A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja, has sentenced an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Hassan Abdullahi, to seven years in prison for certificate forgery and receiving salaries he was not qualified for.
The judgment was delivered by Justice E. Okpe, who found Abdullahi guilty on a two-count charge filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to The Sun on Wednesday 10 December, 2025, ICPC told the court that Abdullahi submitted a forged National Certificate in Education to the NSCDC in December 2010 to gain promotion.
During the trial, ICPC prosecutor Hamza Sani explained how the officer used the fake certificate to advance his career and receive higher salaries. The court ruled that his action violated Sections 366 and 364 of the Penal Code. For this offence, he was sentenced to two years in prison or an option of a ₦2 million fine.
The court also found him guilty of using his position as a public officer to gain corrupt advantage between 2011 and 2022. This included receiving salaries and benefits meant for a higher rank. For this second offence, which violated Section 19 of the ICPC Act, he received five years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Justice Okpe further ordered Abdullahi to refund all the salaries and benefits he collected using the forged certificate. ICPC said the judgment shows the judiciary’s support in the fight against corruption and urged government institutions to strengthen certificate verification.
The court’s decision brings the long-running case to a clear conclusion.
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