Professor, two others bag 40 years imprisonment for N177m fraud

Justice Ayo Emmanuel of a Federal High Court in Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday sentenced a former Director General of the Institute of Agricultural, Research and Training, Prof. Benjamin Ogunmodede, to 40 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

Also sentenced were the Institute’s Accountant, Zaccheus Tejumola, and a staff, Adenekan Clement, for conspiracy and fraud.

Ogunmodede, a Reverend of Anglican Church, and the two others were charged on 16 count charge bordering on conspiracy, unlawful diversion and stealing of school subvention among other criminal offences.

The process that led to their going to jail started in 2011 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dragged them before the court.

Justice Emmanuel sentenced the accused to four years on each charge.

But the sentences are to run concurrently.

According to the judgment, the accused diverted over N177 million from N600 million received as subvention from the Federal Government to pay salaries of workers and execute certain projects in the institute.

They were however accused of not following due process even on some of the executed projects.

Justice Emmanuel said the accused persons during the cross examination and the evidences presented by the prosecutor showed clearly that they were guilty of the charges.

The judgment indicated that the defendants had said they used part of the money to bribe members of House of Representatives and some staff of the Federal Ministry of Finance after they facilitated release of the fund for the institution.

Justice Emmanuel said bribe and money laundering are prohibited in the country, adding that it is a punishable offence under the law.

He noted that the reason for the punishment was to serve as deterrent to those who are contemplating on mismanaging public funds.

Hr held: “It must be borne in mind that the primary aim of judicial sentencing is to serve as deterrent to those with such similar criminal tendencies and for rehabilitation of the accused.

“The two reasons are sociological in nature.”

Speaking with journalists after the judgment, the lead counsel to the EFCC, Nkereuwem Anana, said the judgment was an indication that Nigeria’s fight against corruption was in progress.

Anana commended the court for the judgment, saying it will serve as deterrent to other public office holders who are embezzling public fund.

The lead counsel for Ogunmodede, Tunde Oluponna, said the judgment was very fair to all the parties, adding that the legal team will have a review of the judgment and see the way forward.