A former commissioner in Adamawa state seems to have become the first victim of President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption fight as he has bagged a lengthy jail term for the misappropriation of government funds.
John Babani Elias
Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa state on Friday handed 10 years imprisonment to sentence former Commissioner of Local Government Affairs, John Elias for defrauding Adamawa State government of the sum of N51.5 million while in office.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Elias along side two others who were discharged as well as a company owned by Elias on four count charges of fraud.
Justice Aliyu said the judgement will serve as a deterrent to public office holders who may want to divert public funds for personal benefit.
"I hereby sentence the first convict, John Babani Elias to 10 years imprisonment on count 3 and another 10 years imprisonment on count 4 but the two sentences will run concurrently," Justice Bilkisu Aliyu ruled.
"In addition, the first convict must return/refund the sum of N51.5 million to Adamawa state local Government joint account fund from where it was stolen and diverted by him and his company," she said.
The judge also ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to wind up Al-Akim Investment Limited and have its assets forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria.