Alleged Forgery: Court Sets Nov. 26 to Hear Bid Compelling Police to Prosecute FCTA Lands Director

The Federal High Court in Abuja has scheduled November 26 for the hearing of a motion seeking an order mandating the police to investigate and prosecute Mr. Chijioke Nwankwoeze over alleged certificate forgery.

Nwankwoeze, Director of Lands Administration at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), is accused of presenting a forged Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.

Justice Ekerete Akpan fixed the hearing date after receiving a motion ex parte filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Dependable Patriots for Nation Building and Transformation Initiative.

The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2050/2025, was filed on Sept. 26 by a legal team led by Abdulkabir Badmos. The applicant listed the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and Nwankwoeze Williamson Chijioke as the 1st to 3rd defendants.

Among its requests, the group is seeking an order of mandamus compelling the police to investigate and prosecute Nwankwoeze over the alleged forgery, which it claims was used to secure employment in the federal civil service.

The applicant also sought permission to serve court documents on the defendant via substituted means, specifically through officials at the Office of the Director of Lands Administration, FCTA, at No. 4 Peace Drive, Central Business District, Abuja.

In outlining 10 supporting arguments, Badmos said the organisation is a non-profit registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), with objectives centered on justice, anti-corruption advocacy, and promoting transparency in public institutions.

He stated that the organisation had earlier written to the Inspector-General and the NPF, urging an investigation after receiving whistleblower reports alleging that Nwankwoeze submitted a forged statement of result to gain employment.

“The plaintiff had provided the 1st and 2nd defendants with the requisite documentary evidence that discloses triable offences… but the 1st and 2nd defendants have failed to act to date,” Badmos argued.

He emphasized that the police have a statutory duty to investigate and prosecute such offences under the Police Act 2020 and warned that failing to act would amount to shielding a public official from accountability.

According to an affidavit deposed by the group’s Executive Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Nwosu, the accused allegedly used the same forged result—dated January 16, 1997—to gain admission into Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra.

Nwosu said the organisation routinely receives anonymous whistleblower tips and was reliably informed that the certificate Nwankwoeze allegedly used was not issued by Kwara State Polytechnic.

He explained that the group’s solicitors had written to the institution seeking verification, and in a March 12, 2025 response, the Deputy Registrar (Exams and Records) confirmed the document was fake.

The organisation said it subsequently forwarded all evidence to the police but has seen no action taken.

Nwosu added that Nwankwoeze, being a public officer, does not personally receive official documents, hence the request for substituted service. He argued that granting leave for the order of mandamus would not prejudice any of the defendants and is necessary “in the interest of justice and good governance.”

Opinion Nigeria News