By Erewunmi Peace

A forgery scandal has rocked the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Abuja, following claims that Mr. Nwankwoeze Williamson Chijioke, Director of Lands in the Mass Housing Department (MHD) of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), allegedly forged his Ordinary National Diploma (OND) certificate.

Chijioke is accused of presenting a purported OND certificate from Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin, which allegedly enabled him to secure higher academic qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma (HND) from the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC), and a Master’s degree in an undisclosed field.

Kwara State Polytechnic has officially disowned the OND certificate, confirming that the document did not originate from the institution. In response, the civic accountability group Dependable Patriots for Nation Building and Transformation Initiative (DPNBTI) has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, and the Presidency, calling for a full investigation and prosecution of Chijioke for forgery, perjury, and conspiracy.

The alleged forgery has sparked concerns about the integrity of academic and professional qualifications within Nigeria’s civil service.