The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Hauwau Gimbiya Mukhtar Abdulkarim, the serving Provost of the Federal College of Education (Technical) (FCET), Gusau, alongside Abdullahi Boyi, a lecturer with the Sokoto State College of Education (SSCE), on alleged certificate forgery.

The duo were arraigned on a six-count charge, registered as charge No. SS/213c/2024, before Hon. Justice Muhammad Aliyu Sambo at the Sokoto State High Court. ICPC accused the two defendants of forging an appointment letter and using it to apply for the position of Provost at the Federal College of Education (Technical) Gusau, Zamfara State.

The defendants were also accused of making false statements to ICPC officers during the investigation, which is an offence under Section 25(1)(a) and punishable under Section 25(ii)(b) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000. “Both defendants, however, pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all six charges when read to them by the Court’s Registrar,” the ICPC revealed in a statement.

Counsel for the defendants, Dr. Muhammad Mansur Aliyu and Mr. M.S. Diri SAN, moved for bail applications on behalf of their clients. They requested the court to consider reasonable bail terms, citing the defendants’ “established positions and cooperation during the investigation.”

Counsel to the ICPC, Mr. Suleiman Ahmad, did not oppose the bail applications. Following the consideration of the applications, Hon. Justice Sambo granted bail under specific conditions designed to ensure the defendants’ continued presence throughout the trial proceedings.

The bail conditions require each defendant to provide two sureties who are permanent residents of Sokoto State, with each surety signing a bond of one million naira (₦1,000,000). After granting bail, the ICPC prosecutor requested a date for the trial to commence, emphasizing the Commission’s preparedness to present witnesses and evidence in support of the charges.

Hon. Justice Sambo adjourned the matter to November 21, 2024, when the hearing is set to begin. The prosecution is expected to call witnesses and introduce material evidence to substantiate the allegations.

The ICPC press release was signed by Demola Bakare, Acting Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, and Spokesperson for the Commission.

The International Human Rights Commission – RFT Nigeria Chapter (IHRC-RFT), accredited by the United Nations ECOSOC, has issued an urgent plea to the Nigerian judiciary to protect the rights of minors unjustly detained following the #EndBadGovernance protests.

The press release was signed by Amb. Abdullahi Bakoji Adamu, Country Director, IHRC-RFT Nigeria Chapter.

The call comes after distressing images of malnourished children were seen in court today, raising concerns that many detainees may not even meet the age threshold required by law for formal arraignment.

Bakoji said the IHRC-RFT highlighted that it appears ages have been exaggerated to bring these youths within judicial scope, thereby undermining their fundamental rights and violating national and international child protection standards. “The faces of these young detainees bear the weight of a systemic failure that has left Nigeria’s children vulnerable at home, in school, and in society,” the commission stated.

Deprived of proper guidance and support, children are exposed to exploitation and abuse. Instead of addressing the root causes of their plight, the government is seen as punishing them for attempting to survive in a challenging environment. “Article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and Section 14(2)(b) of the Nigerian Constitution both affirm the government’s duty to safeguard the welfare and security of all citizens, especially vulnerable children,” IHRC-RFT emphasized.

The commission called on the judiciary to reflect deeply on these standards, recognizing the ethical implications of allowing such harmful practices to persist. IHRC-RFT urged the judiciary to thoroughly verify the ages of detainees, protect minors from inhumane treatment, and reject executive overreach. “Ensure no child below the legal age is subjected to undue criminalization due to manipulated documentation or other forms of coercion,” the commission urged.

IHRC-RFT appealed to global partners and Nigeria’s human rights community to speak out against these injustices. “The exploitation of children, especially under the guise of legal proceedings, demands a collective response,” the commission said.

The IHRC-RFT Nigeria Chapter stands resolute in its commitment to protect and defend the rights of all individuals, especially children. “We implore the Nigerian judiciary to rise to its duty by rejecting harmful executive actions that put minors at risk,” the statement concluded.

The Federal University, Dutsinma, has in recognition of the Chairman House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation Abubakar Kabir Abubakar, representing Bichi Federal Constituency, service to humanity and the Nation, awarded him with a Honorary Doctorate Degree on Engineering at the 9th convocation of the university, Saturday.

Speaking on the Award, Alhaji Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, a Former Commissioner in the Government of Ganduje, said the awards was for Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, significant milestone on Education and Humanity.

Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso concur with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Armayau Hamisu who said that Abubakar Bichi was awarded with the Doctor of Engineering (honoraris causa) by the institution in recognition of his contributions to the development of education in Nigeria.

Kwankwaso, acknowledged that recently, Abubakar Bichi offered fully funded sponsorship to 21 postgraduate students to study different engineering courses in Malaysia as well as offering sponsorships to more than 5000 Bichi indigenes studying at various universities and colleges of educations in Nigeria.

He added that Bichi has brought several projects his People and the entire Kano and Nigeria in general since when he was Chairman House Committee on Works, where he oversee the building of linkage Roads across the Country.

Musa Illiyasu Kwankwaso, explained that Abubakar Bichi, has Sponsored hundreds of Students in the Nigeria Universities, while providing supports to Women and Youths to defend on themselves.

“The Doctorate Degree is one of the best so far in recent Awarding of Degrees, because Bichi has dedicated his life to the service of humanity and never get tied doing it”.

He said Abubakar Bichi, has commissioned a 200-capacity auditorium named after him, at the Dutsinma University with an assurance that he will continue to work with his colleagues at the national assembly to prioritize the improvement of academic institutions to make them globally competitive.

Abubakar Bichi said during the programs that, “Universities in developed countries have utilized these means of funding to significant effect. Nigerian universities should begin to adopt these measures as well.

“I want to assure you that I will continue to do those things that made the Federal University Dutsinma recognize me for this honour and do them better even as I ask you to continue to support me in this regard.”

Hon Bichi was accompanied to the event by House of Representatives members from different geo-political zones, family, friends and well-wishers