Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
A 33-year-old man, Monsuru Musa, has been arrested for impersonating his father during a promotion examination organised by the Federal Capital Territory Civil Service Commission.
The suspect was apprehended on Wednesday at the National Open University of Nigeria premises, where the promotion examination was being conducted for civil servants in the FCT.
Monsuru was caught on the third day of the examination while attempting to sit the test on behalf of his father, Musa Mohammed, an employee of the FCT Fire Service.
Security personnel deployed to monitor the exercise reportedly identified and detained him during the examination.
During interrogation, Monsuru said his father was ill and unable to participate in the examination, adding that he acted on his father’s instruction.
He also gave conflicting information about his father’s age, stating that Musa Mohammed was between 67 and 68 years old.
However, officials said the father later informed security operatives that he would be 60 years old in February 2027.
Musa Mohammed further stated that he completed his primary education in 1977 and secondary education in 1982.
The incident prompted further scrutiny by security personnel overseeing the promotion exercise.
Following preliminary investigations, both father and son were handed over to the police after making statements to operatives of the Department of State Services.
Authorities are expected to continue investigations into the alleged examination malpractice and impersonation case.
