The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mrs. Rose Deffi, a former employee of the National Examination Council (NECO), on charges of certificate forgery. Mrs. Deffi, who was dismissed from her position due to these allegations, faced trial initially scheduled for May 30, 2024, before Justice G.D. Fwomyon at the Plateau State High Court. However, the trial was stalled because she was absent.
The court ordered that Mrs. Deffi be served the charge sheet through substituted means and instructed her lawyer to ensure her presence at the next hearing. On Friday, when the case was called again, Mrs. Deffi appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to all seven counts of forgery against her.
Following her plea, ICPC counsel Mr. O.G. Iwuagwu requested a new date for the trial’s commencement. The defense counsel, Mr. P.M. Lere, did not oppose the request but sought bail for his client. Mr. Iwuagwu did not object to the bail application but asked the court to impose conditions that would ensure Mrs. Deffi’s availability for trial.
Justice Fwomyon granted Mrs. Deffi bail at N2 million with two sureties in the same amount. He adjourned the case to September 26, 2024, for the commencement of the trial.
In 2020, NECO conducted a nationwide certificate verification exercise, resulting in 89 staff members being indicted for using fake certificates. The Council’s Governing Board approved their dismissals and referred their cases to the ICPC and the Nigerian Police for prosecution.
