A 33-year-old man, Monsuru Musa, has been arrested in Abuja for allegedly writing a promotion examination on behalf of his father, Musa Mohammed, an employee of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Fire Service. The incident occurred during the 2026 FCT Civil Service Commission promotion exercise at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) premises.
The Abuja exam impersonation case came to light on Wednesday, October 7, when security personnel caught Monsuru taking the examination on behalf of his father. The test was part of the commission’s ongoing assessment of eligible civil servants seeking career advancement.
According to reports, the security operation followed tighter monitoring measures introduced at the instance of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to prevent examination malpractice and ensure that candidates personally participated in the exercise.
Lere Olayinka, the minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, disclosed the incident and shared details of the arrest. The examination was already in its third day when security personnel intercepted the younger Musa.
Abuja Exam Impersonation Case Raises Questions During Interrogation
During questioning, Monsuru reportedly told security personnel that his father was ill but remained somewhere within the NOUN premises. He subsequently admitted that his father had instructed him to sit for the promotion examination on his behalf.
The revelation prompted officials to question the older Musa about his involvement in the incident and the circumstances surrounding the alleged impersonation. The case attracted further attention when the two men gave different accounts of the father’s age.
When officials asked Monsuru how old his father was, he reportedly said the older man was between 67 and 68 years old. However, Mohammed gave a different answer during his own questioning, stating that he would turn 60 in February 2027.
The difference between their accounts raised additional questions for investigators, particularly as officials continued to establish the circumstances surrounding the examination.
Mohammed also told interrogators that he completed primary school in 1977 and secondary school in 1982. These details formed part of the information gathered during the questioning, although the reports did not establish that the educational history itself constituted an offence.
The incident highlights the importance of verifying candidates’ identities during examinations that determine career progression within the public service. It also demonstrates the potential consequences of allowing another person to participate in an assessment intended for a registered candidate.
Following the questioning, both father and son made statements to operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS). Authorities subsequently handed them over to the police for further investigation.
As of the latest reports, the police had not announced a final outcome in the case. Both men remain subject to the investigation, and the allegations should not be treated as a conviction.
FCT Promotion Examination Faces Increased Security Monitoring
The incident occurred during the FCT Civil Service Commission’s 2026 promotion examination, which assesses eligible civil servants for advancement to higher positions. Such exercises play an important role in determining whether public officers meet the requirements for promotion under the applicable civil service rules.
The commission’s examination process also depends on fairness, proper identification and compliance with established procedures. When a candidate allegedly takes a test on behalf of another person, questions arise about the credibility of the assessment and whether all participants have been treated equally.
Security personnel deployed to the examination venue were reportedly operating under measures introduced at the instance of Wike. Their intervention led to the discovery of the alleged impersonation and the subsequent questioning of the two men.
The case has renewed attention on the need for effective supervision at public service examinations, particularly where results can influence workers’ professional advancement. Strong monitoring can help officials identify irregularities and protect the integrity of the promotion process.
However, the final outcome will depend on the findings of the police investigation and any further action taken by the relevant authorities.
For now, the arrest remains a developing story. Authorities have yet to disclose whether either man will face formal charges or what disciplinary measures, if any, the commission may pursue.
Further updates are expected as investigators examine the circumstances surrounding the incident and determine the next steps in the case.
