Retired FCT Finance Director, Sentenced to 24 years in prison for ₦318 million fraud
The judgement was passed after the Judge stated that “the totality of evidence and witness testimonies presented by the commission clearly established the guilt of the defendant”.
The retired Director of Finance and Administration at the Abuja
Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), under the Federal Capital
Territory Administration (FCTA), Garuba Muhammad Duku has been
sentenced to 24 years imprisonment for diversion of public funds.
On October 2, the ruling judge, James Omotosho, found Duku guilty of diversion of funds totaling N318 million on six counts of money laundering and corruption as charged by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/608/2022.
The judgement was passed after the Judge stated that “the totality of
evidence and witness testimonies presented by the commission clearly established the guilt of the defendant”.
The commission revealed that the defendant’s method of fund release and withdrawal was fraudulent and in
violation of the government regulations.
The ICPC investigations showed that between 2012 and 2013, Duku
diverted N318, 250, 000 belonging to the AMMC into his personal
accountant at Fidelity Bank Plc.
The ICPC stated that the funds were released in several tranches, including ₦56.25 million, ₦71 million, ₦53 million, ₦54 million, ₦46 million, and ₦36.3 million, and were later converted through Bureau de Change operators for purposes not authorised by government regulations.
Though the defendant claimed that the money was transferred to his
superiors, no evidence was presented to substantiate his assertion. Therefore, the judge sentenced Duku to 4 years imprisonment on each of
the six counts charged with the jail terms to run simultaneously.
Additionally, he gave the convict a fine equivalent to about N 1.6 billion.
In a statement issued by the Commission spokesperson on Thursday,October 9, he explained that the commission’s determination is to ensure
accountability and transparency in public service
“This conviction underscores ICPC’s unwavering commitment to holding
public officers accountable and ensuring that those who betray public trust through corrupt practices are brought to justice”, Bakare said.
Sofiyyat Lawal
Sofiyyat is a seasoned journalist from Ibadan. She covers government procurement and key community and social issues.