A fresh forgery scandal has hit the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) following allegations that a senior official, Mr. Nwankwoeze Williamson Chijioke, falsified his academic credentials to advance in the civil service.
Chijioke, who serves as Director of Lands in the Mass Housing Department (MHD) of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), is accused of presenting a forged Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin.
The alleged fake certificate reportedly enabled him to gain admission into the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, where he later earned a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Architectural Technology. That qualification, in turn, paved the way for further studies, including a bachelor’s degree from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) and a master’s degree, which supported his rise through the ranks of the FCDA.
In a letter dated March 12, 2025, and signed by Ibrahim Eletu Saka, Deputy Registrar (Examinations and Records), Kwara State Polytechnic officially disowned the OND certificate, describing it as fake.
Armed with the institution’s confirmation, a civic accountability group, the Dependable Patriots for Nation Building and Transformation Initiative (DPNBTI) petitioned several government agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), ICPC, the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Presidency.
The group accused Chijioke of forgery, perjury, and conspiracy, and urged the police to prosecute him and recover all benefits obtained through the alleged falsification. Despite multiple petitions, sources say no concrete action has been taken.
Frustrated by the inaction, DPNBTI filed a suit (FHC/ABJ/CS/2050/2025) at the Federal High Court, Abuja, seeking an Order of Mandamus to compel the police to investigate and prosecute the official.
“This is a test of institutional accountability. When clear evidence of forgery is ignored, it weakens public confidence in the system,” the group’s lawyer said.
This case adds to a growing wave of certificate scandals in Nigeria’s public sector. It comes shortly after the resignation of Uche Nnaji, former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, who stepped down following questions over the authenticity of his academic credentials.
His resignation has reignited calls for stricter verification of certificates among public officials.
For information on Press Releases, Photos, Promotional Events and Adverts, Please message us on WhatsApp via (+234) 09052129258, 08124662170 or send an email to: info@educeleb.com.
