Ex-Civil Service Director Testifies in ICPC Forgery Case Against Taiwo Ayodeji

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called Mrs. Mayen Gajere, a former director at the Federal Civil Service Commission, to testify in the forgery trial of Mr. Taiwo Stephen Ayodeji.

Mr. Ayodeji is accused of forging an employment letter purportedly from the Federal Ministry of Power and using it to unlawfully receive salaries amounting to N760,705.44 over eleven months. The charges were filed under case number CR/008 before Justice A.Y. Shafa of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Nyanya.

During the reopened hearing on Tuesday, Mrs. Gajere, testifying as Prosecution Witness 3, explained the processes for recruitment and the integration of federal employees into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS). She outlined the Federal Civil Service’s appointment protocols and payment system operations to aid the court’s understanding of the case.

Another ICPC witness, Mr. Victor Okorafor, presented findings from the investigation, testifying as Prosecution Witness 4. He disclosed that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation confirmed Mr. Ayodeji’s name was listed on the IPPIS platform. However, no supporting employment documents were found in his profile.

“During the investigation, when the defendant was questioned about the source of the employment letter, he claimed it was obtained from one Mr. Williams Umude, allegedly connected to the IPPIS,” Okorafor stated.

The defendant is also accused of providing false statements to ICPC investigators, violating Section 25(1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, an offense punishable under Section 25(1)(b) of the same Act.

After initially pleading not guilty to all charges on February 12, 2024, Mr. Ayodeji was granted bail. The court has now postponed the case to March 24, 2025, to consider a no-case submission.

This legal proceeding continues to unfold as the court deliberates on the presented evidence.