ICPC Secures Seven-Year Jail Term for Ex-Health Official Over N29.9m

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a seven-year prison sentence for a former Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health, Williams Oluwole, over a false verification certificate that facilitated the payment of N29.9 million for undelivered pharmaceutical products.

Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, convicted Oluwole on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, after finding him guilty of knowingly furnishing false statements in the discharge of his official duties.

Oluwole, who served as Principal Stock Verifier at the ministry, issued a Stock Verification Certificate of Completion in May 2015 in favour of Mubaraq Pharmacy Limited.

The certificate indicated that the company had supplied pharmaceutical products to the ministry. However, the prosecution established that the drugs had not arrived in Nigeria when Oluwole issued the document.

The certificate, numbered CA 0329, subsequently facilitated the payment of N29,996,120 to Mubaraq Pharmacy Limited for the purported supply of 5,113 Ribavirin injections and 5,681 Globavirin tablets.

The ICPC told the court that Oluwole knowingly issued the certificate despite the non-delivery of the products.

The commission argued that the false certification created the impression that the contractor had fulfilled its contractual obligations and was entitled to payment.

Oluwole faced a two-count charge under the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The first count accused him of knowingly furnishing a false statement in his capacity as Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health.

The second count concerned a false statement allegedly made to the then Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Linus Awute.

The ICPC charged the first offence under Section 16 of the Act, while the second count fell under Section 25(1)(a).

During the trial, ICPC counsel N. J. Onwuka, assisted by P. N. Emeka, presented evidence against the former official. Abubakar Adamu represented the defendant.

Delivering judgment, Justice Halilu found Oluwole guilty on both counts.

The judge sentenced him to seven years in prison on the first count and imposed a N100,000 fine on the second count.

Justice Halilu further ordered Oluwole to serve his prison term at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

The conviction highlights the consequences of falsifying official certification documents used to support payments from public funds.

It also underscores the importance of proper verification in government procurement, particularly where officials certify the delivery of goods before contractors receive payment.