ICPC Moves to Arraign FCTA Official Anita Odom Over Forged University and NYSC Certificates

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has requested a hearing date from the FCT High Court in Nyanya to formally charge Anita Anurika Odom, a senior official at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), with academic certificate forgery.

Odom, an employee at the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), allegedly used falsified documents from the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to obtain her position.

Official inquiries by the ICPC revealed that the university confirmed Odom attended but never graduated, while the NYSC denied ever issuing her a certificate.

Despite attempts to evade the investigation—including ignoring summons and fleeing arrest in Owerri—Odom unsuccessfully tried to block the prosecution by filing a civil suit in a magistrate court. That case was dismissed after the ICPC provided evidence of the pending criminal charges.

Sources indicate that Odom has leveraged connections with retired and active security officials to pressure the agency into dropping the case. However, ICPC spokesperson Okor Odey affirmed that the agency remains committed to the prosecution.

The case, identified as CR/717/2025, is currently pending before Justice Ashafa, with the commission awaiting a scheduled date for the official arraignment.

Odom, a Level 13 civil servant, was reportedly hired in 2009 under the influence of her in-law, Chuka Odom, a former Minister of State for the FCT. She faces charges under Section 364 of the Penal Code Act for document forgery.