The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi has sentenced Mr. Martins Ugwu to a four-year jail term for impersonation and fraud.
Ugwu, who used the medical certificate of his best friend, Dr. George Daniel Davidson, to secure employment at the Federal Ministry of Health, was convicted on seven counts brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The ICPC had revealed that Ugwu used the forged certificate to gain employment in 2006 and worked as a medical doctor for 10 years, earning ₦17.2 million in salaries and allowances.
His fraudulent activities included obtaining a staff identity card, applying for annual leave, and enrolling in a postgraduate program in Epidemiology Practice.
In 2016, the ICPC charged Ugwu under Section 25 (1)(a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The charges included making false statements to the Federal Civil Service Commission to gain employment, a crime punishable under Section 25 (1)(b) of the same act.
During the sentencing hearing on Tuesday in Abuja, ICPC Counsel Dr. Osuobeni Ekoi Akponimisingha called for the restitution of all funds Ugwu earned fraudulently.
He cited Sections 319 and 321 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) to support the request for recovery of public funds.
Presiding over the case, Justice Abubakar Idris Kutigi described Ugwu’s actions as a dangerous form of malpractice, highlighting the risks posed by quack doctors to public safety.
He sentenced Ugwu to six months imprisonment on each of the seven counts, to run consecutively, amounting to a total of four years and two months
In addition, the court ordered Ugwu to refund the ₦17.2 million he earned during his fraudulent tenure.
Failure to comply with the restitution order would result in an additional one-year prison term.
Justice Kutigi emphasized that the judgment should serve as a deterrent to others engaging in impersonation and fraudulent practices, particularly in sensitive fields such as medicine.
“This case underscores the critical need for integrity in professional certifications and public service,” he stated, adding that strict enforcement of laws is essential to maintain public trust and safety.
The ICPC welcomed the ruling, reiterating its commitment to eradicating corruption and protecting the integrity of public institutions.