The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Munirat Abdulazeez, a former staff member of the Court of Appeal, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Bwari over her alleged involvement in a N9.2 million job racketeering scheme.
Abdulazeez, who worked at the Court of Appeal from 2018 to 2023, appeared before Justice Godwin Iheabunke following the issuance of a warrant for her arrest after she failed to appear at an earlier court session.
In a statement released on Saturday, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare alleged that Abdulazeez ran a fraudulent employment scheme, offering fake job placements at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). Between September 2022 and July 2023, she allegedly collected a total of N9.2 million from eight unsuspecting job seekers under false pretenses.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, MUNIRAT ABDULAZEEZ (aka JUMMAI), between September to December 2022 and January to July 2023, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being a staff of the Court of Appeal, with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretence the sum of N9,200,000 from Musa Mohammed Maude and others, by claiming you could secure them jobs in NIMASA, CBN, and FIRS — an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Abdulazeez pleaded not guilty to the two-count charge brought against her.
Following her plea, ICPC counsel Hamza Sani urged the court to retain the initial trial date of June 13, 2025.
However, Justice Iheabunke vacated the date and rescheduled the hearing for June 20, 2025.
The defendant’s counsel also moved for bail, which the ICPC did not oppose. Justice Iheabunke granted bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like amount. The sureties must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and submit original title documents for verification. Additionally, the defendant is required to formally notify the court before any travel.
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The trial is scheduled to commence on June 20, 2025.
