The Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission has arrested a job seeker, Azuka Obiejogo
for allegedly forging a recommendation letter purportedly from Nigeria’s
Finance Minister and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr.
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
It was
gathered that Obiejogo, a Higher National Diploma holder from a
polytechnic in Anambra State, allegedly forged a reference letter
purportedly
from
Okonjo-Iweala and presented it to the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Nigerian Security
Printing and Minting Company for employment.
EFCC
spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said, “Obiejogo is a Higher National Diploma
holder. He forged a duly signed reference letter from the Minister of
Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and along with his curriculum vitae,
requested employment in the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,
Tertiary Education Trust Fund and the Nigerian Security Printing and
Minting Company.”
The
suspect was arraigned before Justice Muawiyah Idris of the High Court of
the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja, on six
counts bordering on forgery.
The
charges read in part, “That you, Azuka Obiejogo, on or about August 11,
2014, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal
Capital Territory, intentionally induced the Tertiary Education Trust
Fund to employ you as Account Officer II by presenting a forged
reference letter titled, ‘Reference on Obiejogo Raymond Azuka’,
purportedly made by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi
Okonjo-Iweala, recommending you as a worthy officer fit for employment
and which act caused harm to the reputation of TETFUND.”
The
EFCC stated that the offence was contrary to Section 320(b) and
punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code, CAP 532, Law of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria,1990.”
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view
of his plea, counsel for the EFCC, Halidu Mohammed, urged the court to
fix a date to commence trial and to also remand the accused in custody.
His application was opposed by Mohammed who asked the court for time to respond.
Justice Idris adjourned the case till June 2, 2015 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
He ordered the accused to be remanded in the Kuje Prison.
Source : Punch
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