ICPC arraigns Civil Servant for alleged forgery, illegal salary restoration via IPPIS

By Mathew Dennis

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther before the Federal Capital Territory High Court for allegedly forging official documents and unlawfully manipulating the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to receive salaries while under suspension.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by Director of Public Enlightenment and Education/Spokesperson for the Commission, Demola Bakare stated that Mrs. Esther was brought before Justice Yusuf Halilu on Monday on a three-count charge.

The ICPC alleged that she forged a posting letter dated January 20, 1998, purportedly from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, along with other falsified documents including her gazette, appointment, and confirmation letters.

These were allegedly used to secure her position as a Principal Administrative Officer in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management.

Further investigation revealed no such records existed in the Federal Civil Service Commission’s database. Mrs. Esther also failed to respond to a formal inquiry by a committee from the Head of Service, which led to the suspension of her salary in November 2021.

However, in January 2022, she reportedly used her access to the IPPIS platform to unlawfully reinstate her salary without proper authorization.

She pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her counsel requested bail, which was not opposed by the prosecution.

Justice Halilu granted bail with strict conditions, including the provision of two credible sureties who must be serving directors in the federal civil service within the FCT. The case was adjourned to July 8, 2025, for trial commencement.