The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) says it has closed its case against Umar Abubakar in an alleged job racketeering trial before the Adamawa State High Court sitting in Yola.
Abubakar is standing trial in suit number HC/ADSY/127C/2022 between the Federal Government and Umar Abubakar before the Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman.
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At the resumed hearing on March 2, 2026, prosecuting counsel, Lorngee Terkuma Solomon, presented the Commission’s final witness, Isah Abdullahi Gaude, an investigator with the ICPC.
Led in evidence, Gaude told the court that the defendant was arrested during a sting operation conducted in April 2022 in Jimeta, Yola, following a petition.
“The petition alleged that the defendant offered to secure employment for one Kabiru Musa in the ICPC in exchange for the sum of One Million Naira,” the witness said.
He further stated that the defendant was apprehended during the operation with “a purported temporary appointment letter of the ICPC and the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira, being part of the pre-arranged money provided for the sting operation.”
Gaude added that the Commission later obtained a search warrant to search the defendant’s residence.
“During the search, additional incriminating documents were recovered, including purported appointment letters and letterheads bearing the names of the Federal Medical Centre, Yola, and the Federal Medical Centre, Jalingo,” he told the court.
Following the testimony of the final witness, the prosecution formally closed its case.
Counsel to the defendant, A.U. Sangere, after cross-examining the witness, applied to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against his client.
Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman subsequently adjourned the matter to March 30, 2026, for the adoption of written addresses on the no-case submission.
The defendant is facing a three-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, fraudulent making and signing of documents, and corruptly obtaining consideration as a reward, contrary to relevant provisions of the law.
