A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has convicted Mrs. Ramat Mba, a mother of five, of forging the signature of the late Abba Kyari, former Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari. The presiding judge, Justice Ibrahim Mohammad, postponed her sentencing to Thursday, May 16, 2024, and ordered her detention at the Suleja Correctional Centre in the interim.
Mrs. Mba was brought to trial by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in June 2022, facing a 5-count charge of cheating, fraud, and forgery under Section 13 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 200 and sections of the Penal Code governing Northern Nigeria.
One specific charge accused Mrs. Mba of deceitfully obtaining N700,000 from Mr. Ismail Adewole Oladipupo, a job seeker, by falsely promising him employment at the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), claiming the money was needed for securing the position.
During the trial, ICPC Prosecutor Hamza Sani presented evidence showing Mrs. Mba had falsely promised employment at various government agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS) and the ICPC itself. She also forged official letterhead and the signature of Abba Kyari in a letter soliciting the ICPC to hire three individuals. This letter was contradicted by another from Kyari’s office, denying any authorization of such requests.
Ultimately, Justice Mohammad convicted Mrs. Mba on four of the five counts related to cheating and forgery but acquitted her on a count involving felony.
