A former Commissioner for Finance and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Adamawa State during former Governor Boni Haruna’s administration, John Elias, has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine by a Federal High Court sitting in Yola, presided over by Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu.
The judge on Friday also ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission to shut down Elias’s company, Alhakim Nigeria Limited, as well as pay the state N51.5 million, which he stole while he held sway in office.
Aliyu, who delivered the judgement under section 3 (2) of the miscellaneous act, said the judgement will serve as a deterrent to occupiers of public office who may want to filter resources meant for developmental projects.
Aliyu noted that Elias ought to have protected the public trust giving to him by living above board but instead he decided to flagrantly help himself with resources of the state and hence have to be punished.
The judge convicted Elias on counts 3 and 4 of the charges and sentenced him to 10 years on each charge, though the two convictions would run concurrently.
Aliyu ruled: “I hereby sentenced the first accused, John Babani Elias, for 10 years imprisonment on count 3 and another 10 years imprisonment on count 4 but the two sentences will run concurrently.
“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.
“With regards to the second convict, ALHAKIM NIGERIA LIMITED, I sentence it to pay a fine of N5 million on the offences in count 3 and 4 it is convicted of. In addition, the company would be wound up by Corporate Affairs Commission as provided by section 3(2) of the miscellaneous offences and all its assets forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
Vanguard.
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