Nigerian Court Jails Two National Assembly Staff in ₦4.8 Million Fake Job Scam: Victims Targeted with Bogus CBN, FIRS Offers
Picture this: Desperate job hunters in Nigeria fork over life savings for dream gigs at top federal agencies, only to watch scammers vanish with the cash. That’s the harsh reality that landed two National Assembly employees behind bars this week, exposing a brazen employment fraud that’s left victims reeling and anti-corruption watchdogs on high alert.
In a swift victory for justice, Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) secured the conviction of Mustapha Mohammed and Tijjani Adam Goni, both staffers at the National Assembly in Abuja. The duo was nailed for a ₦4.8 million job scam that preyed on vulnerable seekers promising plum positions at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). This national assembly job scam highlights the rampant fake job offers plaguing Nigeria’s youth unemployment crisis, where employment fraud schemes like this one siphon millions from hopeful applicants annually.
The case, which unfolded in the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja, stemmed from a 2022 petition by victims Saifudeen Yakub and Aminu Abubakar. On May 27, 2021, a slick operator named Mustapha Muhammed—who remains at large—approached the pair, flashing credentials tied to National Assembly connections. He dangled two “guaranteed” slots at the CBN, each for a steep ₦4 million fee, with appointment letters supposedly dropping on April 27, 2021. To sweeten the pot, he pitched similar hooks for FIRS roles.
The victims bit, wiring ₦3 million into a Zenith Bank account (number 1000765449) controlled by the first defendant, Mustapha Mohammed. Later, they coughed up another ₦300,000 each to an Access Bank account under Badraddin Mohammed for sham “medical screenings.” When the letters never materialized, the scam unraveled, leading straight to ICPC’s doorstep.
Courtroom Drama: Plea Deals and Swift Sentences
Prosecutor Fatima Abdullahi Bardi laid out a five-count indictment, slamming the defendants with charges of corrupt demands, false statements, and forgery under the ICPC Act and Penal Code. Counts included conspiracy to forge a fake FIRS employment letter dated June 11, 2021, in the name of one Mustapha Muhammad—a blatant bid to legitimize the con.
Facing the heat, Mohammed and Goni opted for a plea bargain under Section 270 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. They copped to a watered-down charge of making false statements, refunded the full ₦4.8 million to the ICPC’s recovery account, and each ponied up a ₦100,000 fine. Justice M.S. Bassi, presiding, slammed the gavel on November 11, 2025, sealing their fate without jail time—but the sting of public shame and financial clawback serves as a stark warning.
ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare hailed the outcome in a statement: “This conviction reaffirms our zero-tolerance for corruption eroding public trust.” The agency probed bank records and victim testimonies, uncovering a web of deceit that exploited the prestige of federal institutions. Notably, the at-large Muhammed’s role as the initial bait underscores how these national assembly job scams often involve insider-outsider tag teams.
Expert Takes and Public Fury: A Wake-Up Call on Corruption
Anti-corruption experts are buzzing. Dr. Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent Nigerian human rights advocate, called it “a microcosm of systemic rot,” pointing to how fake job offers exploit Nigeria’s 33% youth unemployment rate—among the world’s highest, per World Bank data. “These scams aren’t isolated; they’re symptoms of weak oversight in public service,” he told reporters, urging stricter vetting for government staff.
On the flip side, civil society groups like the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) praised ICPC’s speed but slammed the light sentence. “Fines and refunds are bandaids; real deterrence needs prison bars,” tweeted SERAP’s executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, in a post that racked up over 2,000 likes.
Social media erupted with outrage. Hashtags like #EndJobScams and #ICPCWins trended on X, with users sharing heartbreakers: “Lost my savings to a ‘NASS insider’ last year—glad these crooks are exposed!” one Abuja resident vented. Victim Yakub, speaking anonymously to Channels TV, shared his relief: “We trusted the system; now we’re rebuilding, but at least the money’s back.”
Broader reactions paint a grim picture. Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index ranks Nigeria 145th out of 180 nations, with employment fraud topping public sector graft complaints. Economists warn these schemes drain household finances, stunting small business growth and fueling inequality in a nation where over 40% live below the poverty line.
Why This Hits Home for Nigerians and Beyond
For everyday Nigerians, this national assembly job scam is more than headlines—it’s a gut punch to aspirations. With over 3 million youths entering the job market yearly against just 500,000 openings (National Bureau of Statistics), desperate seekers are prime targets for employment fraud schemes. Victims like Yakub and Abubakar, often from low-income backgrounds, face not just financial ruin but shattered dreams of stability in a volatile economy battered by inflation and naira woes.
Politically, it spotlights governance flaws. The National Assembly, meant to champion anti-corruption bills, now harbors its own fraudsters, eroding public faith ahead of 2027 elections. ICPC vows to hunt the fugitive Muhammed, signaling a crackdown that could snag more insiders.
On the tech front, scammers evolve fast—shifting from phone calls to WhatsApp deepfakes and AI-generated letters. This case pushes for digital literacy drives, like those piloted by Nigeria’s NITDA, to arm citizens against cyber-traps.
Economically, clawing back ₦4.8 million (about $3,000 at current rates) is a win, but experts estimate job scams cost Nigeria $1 billion yearly in lost wages and productivity. For diaspora Nigerians wiring remittances home, it underscores the need for verified channels like official CBN portals.
As ICPC ramps up probes into similar rackets, this conviction could spark a domino effect, weeding out corrupt elements and restoring integrity. Yet challenges loom: underfunded agencies and porous borders let fugitives like Muhammed slip away. Future outlooks hinge on bolder reforms—mandatory ethics training for public servants and a national job verification hotline—to turn the tide on these predatory cons.
In the end, while justice was served here, the fight against corruption in Nigeria demands vigilance from all corners. Victims’ refunds mark progress, but true victory lies in preventing the next scam from ever taking root.
By Sam Michael
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