19th May, 2015
A desperate Nigerian job seeker who forged the signature of Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, purportedly recommending him for a job, has been remanded in prison.
Obiejogo Raymond Azuka was remanded in Kuje prison, Abuja today on the orders of Justice Muawiyah Baba idris.
Azuka was arraigned today by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Gwagwalada, Abuja on a six count charge bordering on forgery.
Obiejigo, a Higher National Diploma holder from Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra allegedly forged a reference letter purportedly from the Minister of Finance, Dr. (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala alongside his curriculum vitae requesting for employment into the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC; Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFUND and Nigerian Security Printing and Minting, NSPM.
One of the counts reads:
“That you Obiejogo Raymond Azuka on or about the 11th day of August 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, intentionally induced the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to employ you as Account Officer II by presenting a forged reference letter titled “Reference on Obiejogo Raymond Azuka” purportedly made by the Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala recommending you as a worthy officer fit for employment and which act caused harm to the reputation of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and that you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 320(b) and punishable under section 322 of the Penal Code CAP 532 LFN,1990″
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, Halidu Mohammed urged the court to fix a date to commence trial and also to remand the accused in prison custody.
However, the defence counsel, J. E Chukwuemeka through a formal application asked the court to admit the accused to bail. But, his application was opposed by Mohammed who asked the court for time to respond.
Justice Idris adjourned the case to June 2, 2015 for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial and ordered the accused to be remanded in Kuje Prison custody.