Mrs. Rose Deffi, a former employee of the National Examination Council (NECO), who was dismissed over allegations of certificate forgery has been arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Mrs Deffi was arraigned on Friday by the anti-graft agency before Justice G.D. Fwomyon at the Plateau State High Court on seven counts bordering on forgery.

A Monday statement by Demola Bakare,
Spokesperson for the Commission revealed that previous trials had been stalled due to the absence of the defendant or her representative in court.

Part of the statement reads:

“The trial was first scheduled for May 30, 2024, before it was stalled due to the defendant’s absence.

“The court ruled that Mrs. Deffi should be served the charge sheet through substituted means and be produced in court by her lawyer at the next hearing.

“On Friday, when the case was called, Mrs. Deffi, who was present in the court, pleaded not guilty to all seven counts of forgery against her.

“In light of her plea, the ICPC counsel Mr. O.G. Iwuagwu requested another date for the trial’s commencement while the defense counsel, Mr. P.M. Lere did not oppose this but asked the court to consider the bail application for his client.

“The ICPC Counsel Mr. Iwuagwu did not oppose the bail application but requested the court to set conditions, ensuring the defendant’s availability for trial.

“The Presiding Judge Justice Fwomyon, after listening to the arguments of both counsels, granted Mrs. Deffi bail at N2 million with two sureties of the same amount.”

The matter was adjourned to September 26, for commencement of trial.

Mrs Deffi was among the 89 staff member indicted for using fake certificates in 2020, when their employer, National Examinations Council (NECO), conducted a nationwide certificate verification exercise.

The Council’s Governing Board subsequently approved their dismissals and referred their cases to the ICPC and the Nigerian Police for prosecution.