The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned a federal civil servant before the Federal Capital Territory High Court on charges of document forgery and unlawful manipulation of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, a Principal Administrative Officer with the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, faces a three-count charge related to forging official posting documents and illegally restoring her salary payments while under suspension.

According to a statement released on Wednesday by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, the Commission alleges that Mrs. Esther forged a posting letter dated January 20, 1998, with reference number HCSF/CMO/EMD/AOD/013/1/30, supposedly issued by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation.

"Verification by the Federal Civil Service Commission confirmed that no such records existed in its database," the ICPC stated, adding that her submitted documents—including the posting instruction, appointment letter, and confirmation of appointment—were all falsified.

The Commission further revealed that Mrs. Esther's salary had been suspended in November 2021 after she failed to appear before an investigative committee established by the Head of Service. However, investigations uncovered that she manipulated the IPPIS platform in January 2022 to illegally restore her salary payments without obtaining formal clearance.

One of the charges reads: "That you, Oluwafunmilayo Esther (F), on or about 2021 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to commit fraud, did forge a document to wit: a posting letter dated 17th June 2021, with Reference No. HCSF/CMO/EMD/002/S.12/T.4.110, purportedly emanating from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation… and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Laws of the FCT."

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all charges during her arraignment. Her counsel, Mr. Chima Okason, requested bail on liberal terms, which was not opposed by the prosecution, represented by Mrs. Olubunmi Ayo.

Presiding Judge Justice Yusuf Halilu granted bail with strict conditions, requiring the defendant to provide two sureties who must be serving federal directors within the FCT. The sureties must present evidence of their civil service promotions and sign a written undertaking to be remanded in custody should the defendant abscond.

The case has been adjourned to July 8, 2025, for the commencement of trial.