Mrs. Moses Oluwafunmilayo Esther, a former Principal Administrative Officer in the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, was arraigned on May 12, 2025, at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court. She faces three counts brought against her by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The charges stem from her alleged involvement in forging a posting letter dated January 20, 1998, and manipulating the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to illegally receive her salary while under suspension. ICPC’s investigation found that key documents, including her posting instruction, appointment letter, and confirmation letter, were falsified. A check by the Federal Civil Service Commission confirmed that these records did not exist in its database.
The case also highlights her failure to respond to an investigation initiated by the Head of Service, which led to her salary being suspended in November 2021. However, by January 2022, Esther allegedly used her access to the IPPIS system to restore her salary without approval from the appropriate authorities.
In court, she pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her legal counsel requested bail on liberal terms, which the ICPC’s lawyer did not oppose. Justice Yusuf Halilu granted her bail under strict conditions, including the requirement for two credible sureties who must be directors in the federal civil service. The trial is scheduled to begin on July 8, 2025.
