A Deputy Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Idris Barde, has been convicted and sentenced by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja over a N4.55 million job recruitment scam.

 

Justice Ngozika Nwabulu of the FCT High Court found Barde guilty of fraudulently collecting money from a job seeker after falsely promising employment slots into the NSCDC.

 

Barde, who previously served as Personal Assistant to former NSCDC Commandant General, Abdullahi Gana, was prosecuted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on a two-count charge bordering on corruption and abuse of office.

 

According to the ICPC, the case stemmed from a 2017 transaction in which Barde received N4.55 million from Igbo Christian Okechukwu, claiming he could secure employment for seven applicants into the NSCDC.

 

The anti-graft agency told the court that Barde, while serving in the office of the then Commandant General, accepted the money as an inducement to influence the recruitment process, an offence contrary to Section 18(d) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

 

During the trial, the prosecution presented documentary exhibits and witness testimonies, which the court held sufficiently established Barde's involvement in the fraudulent recruitment scheme.

 

Justice Nwabulu subsequently sentenced the NSCDC officer to 12 months imprisonment, with an option of paying a N4 million fine.

 

Reacting to the judgment, the ICPC said the conviction reflects its commitment to holding public officials accountable and combating corruption within government institutions.

 

The commission reiterated its resolve to promote transparency, integrity and accountability in the public service, while warning public officers against abusing their positions for personal enrichment.

 

It also assured Nigerians that it would continue to investigate and prosecute corruption cases regardless of the status or position of those involved.