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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a former staff member of the Court of Appeal, Munirat Abdulazeez, before the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Bwari over allegations of job racketeering and advance fee fraud.

Abdulazeez, who served at the Court of Appeal between 2018 and her dismissal in 2023, was brought before Justice Godwin Iheabunke after failing to appear at an earlier hearing—a lapse that prompted the court to issue a bench warrant for her arrest. At her arraignment, she pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006.

According to the ICPC, Abdulazeez allegedly defrauded no fewer than eight job seekers of ₦9.2 million under false pretenses between September 2022 and July 2023. She reportedly promised the victims lucrative employment opportunities in prestigious government institutions, including the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

Investigations revealed that the payments were made directly into her personal Access Bank account, further strengthening the ICPC’s case of deliberate intent to deceive. The former court official had already been dismissed from her position in 2023 following internal findings of her involvement in job racketeering and auction fraud—infractions that reportedly tarnished the image of the judiciary.

Prosecution and Bail Conditions

During the court session, ICPC prosecutor Hamza Sani confirmed that the Commission would present its witnesses on the newly agreed trial date of June 20, 2025—a date jointly accepted by both the defense and prosecution in place of the earlier proposed hearing on June 13.

Although Abdulazeez’s defense filed for bail, the ICPC chose not to oppose the motion. Justice Iheabunke granted the defendant bail in the sum of ₦10 million, with strict conditions. She is required to produce two sureties of equal financial standing who must possess landed properties within the FCT. The title documents of these properties must be submitted to the court for verification.

Furthermore, the defendant was ordered to seek formal permission from the court should she wish to travel outside the jurisdiction pending the determination of the case.

Background and Broader Implications

This case adds to the growing list of high-profile prosecutions aimed at curbing systemic corruption and employment fraud in Nigeria’s public sector. Job racketeering—where unscrupulous individuals or insiders offer fictitious government or civil service roles in exchange for bribes—remains a persistent problem that undermines public trust and worsens youth unemployment.

The ICPC, under its renewed mandate to tackle fraudulent recruitment practices, has in recent years intensified efforts to expose and prosecute offenders, especially within government institutions where access to insider information can be abused.

Legal analysts note that this case could set a precedent for similar prosecutions and might serve as a deterrent to public servants tempted to exploit vulnerable job seekers for personal gain.

As the trial unfolds, stakeholders will be watching closely to see whether the judiciary can deliver a judgment that reinforces accountability and restores confidence in public service recruitment.