By Dada Ayoola | Asiwaju Media Team
ABUJA, Nigeria — December 25, 2025
A senior officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) is facing a formal investigation following explosive allegations that he may have used forged academic certificates to secure employment and climb the ranks within the paramilitary organisation.
Commandant Appolos Dandaura, who serves in the Intelligence Squad under Commandant General Ahmed Audi, is at the centre of the storm after a petition was filed on December 23, 2025 with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
The petition, submitted by human rights lawyer Joseph Aliu, accuses Dandaura of presenting fraudulent academic credentials to facilitate his recruitment and irregular career advancement within the Corps.
According to the petition reviewed by reporters, attachments include statements of results purportedly from the Nasarawa State College of Agriculture and a certificate from the University of Calabar bearing Dandaura’s name, but curiously lacking a matriculation number, which the petitioner says is inconsistent with genuine certificates from the institution.
Aliu’s submission to the ICPC describes the matter as one of grave allegations of fake certificates and undue career progression, underscoring the public interest and national security implications of placing personnel with questionable credentials in positions of authority. The lawyer argued that integrity within law enforcement ranks is critical to maintaining public trust and operational effectiveness.
“Allowing officers to rise through the ranks on the basis of questionable credentials could undermine discipline and professionalism across the service,” the petition stated.
In addition to calling for a rigorous probe into the authenticity of the certificates, Aliu invoked the Freedom of Information Act, demanding that the ICPC obtain and publicly release certified true copies of all academic credentials submitted by Dandaura at recruitment, along with records of his career progression and promotion letters. The petitioner warned that any failure to act would be interpreted as obstruction and could prompt judicial proceedings.
When contacted, the NSCDC acknowledged awareness of the development and pledged cooperation. Corps spokesperson Babawale Afolabi told reporters that “we will investigate the matter, but I’m just hearing of the development.”
Meanwhile, an ICPC spokesperson confirmed that petitions of this nature are processed through established channels and are assigned for investigation once accepted as meritorious.
The unfolding scandal comes at a time when the NSCDC is already under scrutiny. Just weeks earlier, another officer was sentenced to seven years in prison for certificate forgery and corrupt enrichment, highlighting a pattern of credential related misconduct within the force.
As the ICPC begins its enquiry, Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the allegations are substantiated and what consequences, if any, will follow for one of the Corps’ senior officers.
