ICPC arraigns civil servant for payroll system fraud

A senior federal civil servant, Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for allegedly forging official documents and unlawfully manipulating the Federal Government’s Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System, IPPIS.

Esther was brought before Justice Yusuf Halilu at the Federal Capital Territory High Court on a three-count charge that includes document forgery, deceit, and illegal access to government systems.

According to the ICPC, Esther forged a letter of posting dated January 20, 1998, bearing reference number HCSF/CMO/EMD/AOD/013/1/30, which she claimed was issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation. She also presented a forged appointment letter, confirmation letter, gazette, and posting instruction — all of which were later discovered to be falsified.

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The commission said Esther held the position of Principal Administrative Officer at the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management based on these documents.

A verification process by the Federal Civil Service Commission confirmed that there were no records of her employment in their database.

In November 2021, she was placed on salary suspension after failing to honour an invitation from a committee set up by the Head of Service to investigate the alleged irregularities.

However, despite the suspension, Esther reportedly used her privileged access to the IPPIS platform to illegally restore her salary in January 2022 without proper authorization from the relevant authorities.

The first count of the charge reads:

“That you, Oluwafunmilayo Esther (F), on or about 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to commit fraud, did forge a document to wit: a posting letter dated 17th June 2021… and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the FCT.”

She pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Her lawyer, Mr. Chima Okason requested bail on liberal terms, a request not opposed by ICPC counsel, Mrs. Olubunmi Ayo.

Justice Halilu granted bail with strict conditions: the defendant must present two credible sureties who are currently serving as directors in federal civil service parastatals within the FCT.

These sureties must present proof of their first and most recent promotions and submit a written undertaking that they will be detained in her place if she jumps bail.

The trial was adjourned to July 8, 2025, for formal proceedings to commence.

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