Nigerian senior government official charged with forgery

The federal government has charged a Director of Protocol in the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, Maikudi Haruna, with forgery and international passport racketeering.

Haruna appeared before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a three-count charge brought against him by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

He was charged with “conspiracy,” “making false statement for the purpose of procuring Nigeria passport,” and engaging in “forgery.”

The prosecution, led by the Head of Prosecution, NIS, Collins Obilor, alleged that Haruna forged the official identity card of his ministry and signature of the Minister on a letter he issued to a friend, Abubakar Mustapha Bida, for whom he procured an official passport, after  collecting N250,000 from him.

The accused pleaded not guilty, following which the court granted him bail at N250,000.

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Justice Taiwo Taiwo commended the NIS and the Comptroller General for their diligence in the prosecution of cases.

He adjourned till September 27, 2019 for trial.

The charge reads:

“That you Maikudi Haruna, (M), of The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Maitama, Abuja, on or about the 10th day of May, 2018, at the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Headquarters, Maitama, Abuja did commit an offence to wit: forgery, by fraudulently making official identity Card of the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing for Mr Abubakar Mustapha Bida and signing a letter of introduction for him, on the letter headed paper of the Minister of Power, Works and Housing purporting same to have been written and signed by the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing, for the purpose of procuring Official Nigerian Passport for Abubakar Mustapha Bida supposing him to be a Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Power, Works and Housing and submitting forged documents in that regard to the Nigeria Immigration Service.

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