ICPC secures conviction of NSCDC Deputy Commandant over N920,000 job scam

By Johnson Arua 

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of a Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Sani Lawal, for employment fraud. 

Lawal was convicted by Justice A.A. Bawale of the Katsina State High Court No. 3 following a plea bargain agreement reached between the prosecution and the defence. 

The court found the defendant guilty and sentenced him to pay a fine of N100,000.

According to counsel to the ICPC, Haruna Hedima, Lawal sometime in 2024, corruptly obtained N920,000 from two complainants under the false pretence of securing employment for them in the NSCDC. 

The commission said the defendant was initially arraigned on an eight-count charge bordering on employment fraud but was convicted on two counts in accordance with the terms of the plea bargain agreement adopted by the court. 

The offences contravened Section 25(1)(a) and are punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. 

Justice Bawale subsequently adopted the terms of the plea bargain as the judgment of the court, thereby convicting and sentencing Lawal accordingly. 

The ICPC said the conviction reaffirmed its commitment to combating corruption, particularly fraudulent recruitment schemes used to exploit unsuspecting members of the public. 

The commission warned Nigerians against individuals demanding money or other forms of gratification in exchange for promises of securing government jobs, stressing that recruitment into the public service is governed by established procedures and not unofficial payments. 

It urged members of the public to report suspected cases of employment fraud and other corrupt practices through its established reporting channels, assuring that it would continue to investigate and prosecute offenders.