Chief Bode George Jailed for 28 Yrs

People’s Democratic Party Chieftain, Chief Bode George and five other persons accused along with him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over allegation of N85 billion fraud at the Nigeria Ports Authority, NPA, have been

sentenced to 28 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

He was convicted by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Ikeja High Court this afternoon. 

George was specifically convicted on 35 out of the 68-count charge which border on contract splitting, inflation, abuse of office and disobedience to lawful order.

Justice Oyewole sentenced all the six accused persons to two years each on seven counts of abuse of office and another six months for 28 charges bordering on disobedience of lawful order.

The judge held that all the accused persons were guilty of splitting numerous contracts as members of NPA board from 2001 to 2003.

According to the judge, there were incontrovertible evidence that all the six accused persons intentionally and knowingly condoned the splitting of contracts.

Also, Justice Oyewole held that Bode George and his co-accused disregarded lawful order passed to them by the Ministry of Transport stipulating a new approval limit of contracts in all government parastatals including the NPA.

According to the judge, all the accused persons in their evidence acknowledged receiving the said order from the Ministry of Transport but chose by their own volition to disregard the order.

He, however, held them not liable for contract inflation.

Most PDP supporters in the court room burst into tears as Justice Oyewole pronounced the judgement. Most of them tried to provoke security men around the court into a  fight.

In his allocutus, George’s counsel, Chief Tunji Ayanlaja, SAN, appealed for leniency as George and the six accused persons were doing the right thing but following a wrong procedure.

EFCC prosecutor, Festus Keyamo, thanked the court for a well considered judgement and said that it will serve as a deterrent to corrupt public officers.

During the ensuing melee, an elderly man fainted and he was being revived at the time of filing this report.

Anti-riot policemen at the court premises called for a reinforcement to bring the situation under control.

Bode George, Arc. Aminu Dabo, Captain O. Abidoye, Alhaji Abdulahi Aminu Tafida and Alhaji Zanna Maidaribe and Engr. Sule Aliyu have been facing a 163-count charge of conspiracy, disobedience of lawful orders, inflation of contract and contract splitting.

Specifically, they were alleged to have awarded contracts for the supply of several items and repair of some equipment worth billions of naira in foreign currencies. They were also accused of committing an abuse of office “by splitting three contracts into separate contracts; which sum was beyond your  approved limits” which EFCC described as “arbitrary and prejudicial to the right of the Federal Minister of Transportation, being the appropriate authority to award contracts in excess of N20 Million.
                         Would PDP allow it?

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Posted: at 27-10-2009 07:40 AM (14 years ago) | Hero

They are going to run concurrently, right?  In all it is just 2 and half years, but I think they are going to appeal the judgement.  It is always the case with these big men, even when they know dat they are guilty, they continue with appealing a judgement

Posted: at 27-10-2009 01:10 PM (14 years ago) | Upcoming

OK.......................

Posted: at 27-10-2009 04:14 PM (14 years ago) | Gistmaniac

I PRAY EFCC WILL GOTO SLEEP AND NEVER WAKE UP AGAIN.

Posted: at 28-10-2009 04:53 AM (14 years ago) | Upcoming

bcos y has 2 axis & 1 tail

Posted: at 28-10-2009 10:58 AM (14 years ago) | Hero

Let him answer himself....i did not ask you two...shogbo?

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Posted: at 28-10-2009 11:33 AM (14 years ago) | Hero

hahahahaha........Blings, bad pikin, na who put am for jail?

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Posted: at 28-10-2009 11:57 AM (14 years ago) | Hero

Now am confused.........who are you talking abt self?

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Posted: at 28-10-2009 12:20 PM (14 years ago) | Hero

make dem no scare u oh

Posted: at 29-10-2009 11:31 AM (14 years ago) | Hero

STORY STORY STORY 28 YEARS IMPRISONMENT 4 NAIJA WEY I KNOW..........LET US BE WATCHING..........................

Posted: at 29-10-2009 02:59 PM (14 years ago) | Gistmaniac