ICPC Wins Conviction of Ex-Health Ministry Official Over Fake Drug Supply Certificate
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Williams Oluwole, a former Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health, over a false certificate used to facilitate the payment of nearly ₦30 million for undelivered pharmaceutical products.
Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, Abuja, convicted Oluwole on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, sentencing him to seven years’ imprisonment on one count and imposing a ₦100,000 fine on another.
The former official faced a two-count charge for allegedly knowingly furnishing false statements in the performance of his official duties.
The charges arose from a Stock Verification Certificate of Completion he issued in May 2015 in favour of Mubaraq Pharmacy Limited.
The certificate purportedly confirmed the delivery of pharmaceutical products, although the items had not arrived in Nigeria when the document was issued.
The ICPC told the court that the certificate, identified as No. CA 0329, facilitated the payment of ₦29,996,120 to the company for 5,113 Ribavirin injections and 5,681 Globavirin tablets.
The prosecution maintained that Oluwole certified the receipt of the products before they had been supplied, giving the impression that the contractor had fulfilled its obligations under the contract.
The first count, filed as Charge No. CR/94/2017, accused him of knowingly furnishing a false statement while serving as Principal Stock Verifier at the Federal Ministry of Health.
The offence contravenes Section 16 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The second count related to a false statement allegedly made to the then Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Linus Awute, contrary to Section 25(1)(a) of the Act.
The ICPC was represented by N. J. Onwuka, alongside P. N. Emeka, while the defendant was represented by Abubakar Adamu.
After considering the case, Justice Halilu found Oluwole guilty and sentenced him to seven years in prison on Count One. He also imposed a fine of ₦100,000 on Count Two.
The court ordered that the former official serve his prison term at the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja.
The conviction underscores the consequences of falsifying official records and highlights the importance of accountability in government procurement, especially in the health sector, where public funds are used to procure essential medicines and other medical supplies.
