Court gavel
Federal High Court in Abuja has slated November 26 to hear a motion seeking to compel the Nigeria Police to investigate and prosecute Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze over allegations that he used a forged academic certificate.
Nwankwoeze, who currently serves as Director of Lands Administration in the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), is accused of presenting a falsified Ordinary National Diploma (OND) purportedly issued by Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
Justice Ekerete Akpan fixed the hearing date after considering an ex-parte motion filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Dependable Patriots for Nation Building and Transformation Initiative. The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2050/2025, was filed on Sept. 26 by a legal team led by Abdulkabir Badmos.
The organisation listed the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force, and Mr. Nwankwoeze Williamson Chijioke as the first, second, and third defendants.
Among the reliefs sought is an order of mandamus compelling the police to investigate and prosecute Nwankwoeze for allegedly presenting a forged statement of result from Kwara State Polytechnic. The group claims he used the document to secure employment in the federal civil service.
The applicant also asked the court for permission to serve court papers on Nwankwoeze through substituted means, specifically via officials at his FCTA office on Peace Drive in Abuja.
In a detailed argument, Badmos described the applicant organisation as a registered, non-profit body committed to promoting justice, accountability, and transparency in public institutions. He said the group had previously written to the IGP, supplying what he described as “requisite documentary evidence that discloses triable offences,” but received no action in return.
According to him, “forgery or presentation of fake documents to procure an undue advantage is a serious offence,” and prosecution agencies “shouldn’t be seen to be shielding public officers.”
He argued that the police have a statutory duty under the Police Act, 2020, to investigate and prosecute offences of this nature, stressing that only a court order would ensure compliance.
In an affidavit supporting the motion, the group’s Executive Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Nwosu, claimed that whistle-blowers tipped them off about a statement of result dated Jan. 16, 1997, allegedly forged and used by Nwankwoeze. He further alleged the document was used not only for employment but also to gain admission into Federal Polytechnic, Oko in Anambra State.
Nwosu said the organisation contacted Kwara State Polytechnic to verify the authenticity of the certificate. In response, the school’s Deputy Registrar reportedly confirmed in a letter dated March 12, 2025, that the result was “FAKE.”
Despite forwarding this and other documents to the police, Nwosu said, no investigation had commenced. He stressed that Nwankwoeze, as a senior public officer, rarely receives documents personally, making substituted service necessary.
Nwosu added that granting the application would not prejudice any of the defendants, who would still have the opportunity to defend themselves once the case proceeds.
(NAN)
