A retired Director of Finance and Administration with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Garuba Mohammed Duku, has been jailed for 24 years for corruption and money laundering to the tune of N318 million.

Duku was convicted and sentenced to 24 years imprisonment by the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, after being found guilty on a six-count charge of corruption and money laundering filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

The spokesman of the commission, Demola Bakare, told journalists in Abuja that investigations by the ICPC revealed that between 2012 and 2013, the convict fraudulently diverted N318,250,000 belonging to AMMC into his personal account, which was domiciled at Fidelity Bank Plc.

Bakare explained that further findings showed that he received multiple payments totaling the said sum, including N56.25 million, N71 million, N53 million, N54 million, N46 million, and N36.3 million.

He said the monies were subsequently transferred to Bureau de Change operators and expended for unauthorized purposes.

The ICPC spokesman said, “During the trial, ICPC successfully demonstrated that the defendant’s method of fund release and withdrawal was fraudulent and in violation of extant government financial regulations.

“In the course of the trial, the Commission also refuted Mr. Duku’s claim that the funds were disbursed to his superiors, as no evidence was produced to substantiate the assertion.

“In his judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the totality of evidence and witness testimonies presented by the Commission proved the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Consequently, the court sentenced Mr. Duku to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, or an option of fine equivalent to five times the amount stated in each count, totaling approximately N1.6 billion. The sentences are to run concurrently.

“This conviction underscores ICPC’s unwavering commitment to holding public officers accountable and ensuring that those who betray the public trust through corrupt practices are brought to justice in accordance with the law.” (Daily Trust)