By Emmanuel Kwada
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has arraigned Munirat Abdulazeez, a former Court of Appeal staff member, before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Bwari, Abuja, for her alleged role in a ₦9.2 million job racketeering scam.
Abdulazeez, also known as Jummai, is accused of defrauding eight job seekers by promising them nonexistent employment opportunities at the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).
She pleaded not guilty to the charges, was granted bail of ₦10 million, and her trial is set to resume on June 20, 2025.
Abdulazeez allegedly collected ₦9.2 million from eight victims
According to a statement by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, Abdulazeez allegedly collected ₦9.2 million from eight victims, including Musa Mohammed Maude, Sule Sadanu, Haruna Idris Lokos, Yusuf Musa, Mahmud Jibrin, Adama Mohammed Maude, Shuaibu Musa, Ahmed Sunusi, and Aliyu Ahmed, between September 2022 and July 2023.
The funds were reportedly deposited into her Access Bank account (number 1496346113) under the pretense of securing federal jobs at prestigious government agencies. The ICPC’s investigation revealed that Abdulazeez, who was employed at the Court of Appeal from 2018 until her dismissal in 2023 due to her involvement in job racketeering and auction fraud, exploited her position to perpetrate the scam.
That you, MUNIRAT ABDULAZEEZ (aka JUMMAI), between September to December 2022 and January to July 2023, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being a staff of the Court of Appeal, with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretence the sum of ₦9,200,000 from Musa Mohammed Maude and others
One of the two-count charges against her reads: “That you, MUNIRAT ABDULAZEEZ (aka JUMMAI), between September to December 2022 and January to July 2023, at Abuja, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while being a staff of the Court of Appeal, with intent to defraud, obtained by false pretence the sum of ₦9,200,000 from Musa Mohammed Maude and others, by claiming you could secure them jobs in NIMASA, CBN, and FIRS — an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Abdulazeez, who had previously failed to appear in court, prompting Justice Godwin Iheabunke to issue an arrest warrant, was arraigned on Wednesday. She entered a not guilty plea to the charges.
ICPC counsel Hamza Sani requested that the court retain the initial trial date of June 13, 2025, to present prosecution witnesses, but the court vacated this date and adjourned the case to June 20, 2025, for the trial to commence.
Justice Iheabunke granted Abdulazeez bail in the sum of ₦10 million with two sureties in like sum
The defense counsel moved for bail, which the ICPC did not oppose, indicating the commission’s readiness to proceed with the hearing. Justice Iheabunke granted Abdulazeez bail in the sum of ₦10 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge stipulated that the sureties must own landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and deposit their title documents with the court registrar for verification.
Additionally, Abdulazeez was ordered to formally notify the court in writing before undertaking any travel.
The case has drawn significant attention, highlighting the persistent issue of job racketeering in Nigeria, where desperate job seekers are often exploited by fraudsters promising access to coveted government positions.
