A civil servant, Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission for allegedly forging a letter of posting and unlawfully restoring her salary through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System while under suspension.
She appeared before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court on Monday, facing a three-count charge brought by the ICPC.
According to the Commission, Mrs. Esther forged a posting letter dated 20th January 1998, with Reference No. HCSF/CMO/EMD/AOD/013/1/30, claiming it was issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.
The ICPC stated that she submitted falsified documents, including a gazette, appointment letter, confirmation letter, and the posting instruction, while holding the position of Principal Administrative Officer at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.
Verification by the Federal Civil Service Commission confirmed that none of the records she submitted existed.
Mrs. Esther also failed to honour an invitation from a committee set up by the Head of Service to investigate the alleged fake posting.
Her salary was subsequently suspended in November 2021.
In January 2022, she allegedly used her access as a role player on the IPPIS platform to illegally restore her salary without authorisation from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.
Count One of the charge read, “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.”
She pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Her lawyer, Chima Okason, requested bail on liberal terms, which was not opposed by ICPC counsel, Mrs. Olubunmi Ayo.
Justice Halilu granted bail with the condition that she produce two credible sureties who must be serving directors in federal parastatals within the FCT.
The sureties are to submit evidence of their first and latest promotions and a written undertaking to be remanded if she jumps bail.
The court adjourned the matter to 8th July 2025 for the commencement of trial.