A former commissioner for finance in Adamawa State, John Babani Elias, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for diverting state funds.
The conviction followed a corruption case instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, against the one time commissioner of local government and chieftaincy Affair.
The judgement was delivered by Justice Bilkisu Aliyu at the Federal High Court, Yola, Friday, in the case against the former commissioner and Al- Akim Investment Nig. Ltd a company promoted by Mr. John Elias and Inuwa Bassi, listed as the 1st and 2nd defendant in the case. The court however acquitted Mr. Bassi for want of evidence, but sentenced John Babani Elias to 10 years imprisonment.
Mr. Babani had since been taken to Yola prison. The EFCC secured the conviction in one of the landmark cases of anti-graft involving a politician in Adamawa, did so after it amended the charges against the accused to three counts of graft contrary to section 3(6) of the Miscellaneous under Section 1 (2) (b) of the same Act.
The judge, in her ruling on count 3 which nailed John Babani, and Al- Akim Investment Nig. Ltd., found the former commissioner guilty of defrauding the Adamawa state government of N31,500,000 vide his company which he used to divert the said monies meant for the local government joint project. Although, the court found Mr. Elias guilty of conspiracy to cause the payment of N21,000,000 vide Habib Bank Nig. Ltd, it however, discharged and acquitted Inuwa Bassi, of the said count.
In addition John Elias Babani is to return N51,000,000 to the Adamawa state government joint account while his company (Al- Akim) shall pay the fine of N5,000,000 and also to be wound up immediately.
But counsel to John Elias, Andrew Malgwi, of Rickey Tarfa Chambers, said his client will appeal the judgement because it was not comfortable with some aspect of the ruling. For more scintillating and juicy stories, follow the official Naijapals accounts On Twitter - https://twitter.com/Naijapals and Facebook - www.facebook.com/naijapals
I have been reporting on latest news from Nigeria for almost 10 years now. I report on every possible news area I come across, but always ensure my reports are compiled with dignity and fact to uphold my personal values and duty as a journalist
Posted: at 5-12-2015 06:34 AM (9 years ago) | Addicted Hero
zezprincess at 5-12-2015 08:04 AM (9 years ago) (f)
Hmmmmm,pls federal government,efcc&dss,Can you guys stop this,arrest,detain&imprison syndrome,Since you guys are sure of them looting&embezzling of govt fund,pls invite them all,tell them the implications involved,I believe they will willingly bring back their loots ot even be paying instalmentally till they pay all,just use summon,&dialogue syndrome than dis prison thing,cos they are some who even like the prison thing&decide to sit on dat money,But all the monies recovered since nko???hmmmmm
Posted: at 5-12-2015 08:04 AM (9 years ago) | Hero
victorstic1 at 5-12-2015 09:49 AM (9 years ago) (m)
WHAT KIND OF MATHEMATICS IS THAT!? SOMEONE STOLE 14500 HE WAS SENTENCED TO DEATH BY HANGING AND 51 MILLION THIEF SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS THERES GOD OOOOO
Posted: at 5-12-2015 09:49 AM (9 years ago) | Gistmaniac
All this looters if the efcc can arrest them all and find out where the hide all our money and bring it back I think there will be no need for us to go and borrow money outside.
Posted: at 5-12-2015 10:36 AM (9 years ago) | Hero
Gbam... amechi have said it all that he will nt divert trasportation money becz he dnt want to goto jail. all these people are nw reaping what the soul. Good for you, enjoy urself in prison.
Posted: at 5-12-2015 03:05 PM (9 years ago) | Hero
dickieponga at 6-12-2015 05:04 PM (9 years ago) (m)
Just a miserly 10 years for stealing millions and an armed robber gets d death penalty for just 14k... D more money u steal d less years u get, d lesser d amount d more sentences u receive..... Wat a fair world we live...
Posted: at 6-12-2015 05:04 PM (9 years ago) | Hero
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