ICPC arraigns retired judge over alleged age falsification

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has arraigned Francis Abosi, retired judge of the customary court of appeal in Imo, over alleged age falsification.

According to a statement on Thursday, Abosi was charged before U.P. Kekemeke, judge of the federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Maitama, Abuja.

The former judge was said to have been arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on forgery and awarding undue benefit to himself.

Abosi is said to have forged his birth certificate and updated the date from 1950 to 1958 in order to extend his retirement age.

In April 2020, TheCable had reported that the National Judicial Council (NJC) suspended Abosi over alleged age falsification.

His suspension followed a recommendation of mandatory retirement by the NJC.

“Investigations revealed that during his appointments in 2010 and 2014, Abosi filed November 17th 1958 as his date of birth in the National Judicial Council data before the chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC),” the ICPC said.

“However, luck ran out on him when the NJC wrote to the Nigeria Law School to verify his records.

“Unfortunately, findings from both the law school and his alma mater, the University of Nigeria Nsukka, showed that he was born on the 17th of November, 1950.”

Abosi reportedly pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him, while an application for bail was moved by J.O. Asoluka, his lawyer.

Since the bail application was not opposed by the prosecution, he was granted bail on self-recognizance.

The case has been adjourned till February 16, 2023, for definite hearing.