Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Munirat Abdulazeez, a former court of appeal staff, over allegations of job racketeering involving N9.2 million.
Gatekeepers News reports that she was brought before Godwin Iheabunke, judge of a federal capital territory high court in Buari on Wednesday.
She pleaded not guilty to a two-count charges levied against her by the commission.
Before her arraignment, the judge had issued a warrant for her arrest after she failed to appear in court to take her plea.
In a statement by the ICPC on Saturday, ICPC revealed that the defendant allegedly promised her victims non-existent jobs with Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
Investigations by the commission revealed that between September 2022 and July 2023, she obtained a total of N9.2 million from eight unsuspecting victims under false pretences.
Abdulazeez, who worked at the court of appeal from 2018 until her dismissal in 2023 over her involvement in job racketeering and auction fraud, now faces charges under section 1(1)(a), punishable under section 1(3) of the advance fee fraud and other related offences act, 2006.
Following the defendant’s plea, her legal counsel applied for bail, which the ICPC did not oppose. Justice Iheabunke granted her bail in the sum of N10m with two sureties in like sum.
The judge said the sureties “must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court and must deposit the title documents with the court registrar, and the same must be confirmed by the registrar.
Additionally, she was asked to write to the court formally in any event she wanted to travel.
The case was adjourned to June 20, 2025, for commencement of trial.
