The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of the sole administrator and caretaker chairman of Sakaba local government area in Kebbi State, Mr. Abubakar Bawa Makuku, for contract fraud and abuse of office involving N54m.
Also convicted is the director of Finance and Supply, Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai.
They were arraigned before Justice E. Gakko of the Federal High Court sitting in Birnin-Kebbi on multiple counts bordering on abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards and financial misconduct.
ICPC spokesman, Demola Bakare, said during the trial, prosecution counsel, Mr. Hamza Sani, presented evidence showing that Dakai unlawfully withdrew a total of N54m from the coffers of Sakaba LG in six tranches of N9m each in a deliberate attempt to evade financial reporting protocols.
The court also heard how Makuku corruptly awarded contracts without following due process and personally benefited from the diversion of N10 million earmarked for official engagements of the local government.
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.
However, in his judgment, Justice Gakko found them guilty as charged and convicted them accordingly.
Fakai was sentenced to three years in imprisonment or a fine of N2.5m, while Makuku received a four-year jail term or a fine of N1m as compensation to Sakaba LG, in addition to another N1.5m fine.
