The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a 24-year jail term for Mr. Garuba Duku, a retired Director of Finance and Administration with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council under the Federal Capital Territory Administration.
A statement on Thursday by the Director of Public Enlightenment and Education of the commission, Mr Demola Bakare said Duku was found guilty of a N318 million fraud by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
According to the ICPC, between 2012 and 2013, Duku fraudulently diverted N318,250,000 belonging to AMMC into his personal account with Fidelity Bank Plc.
The funds were received in several installments and later transferred to Bureau de Change operators for unauthorized purposes.
The court dismissed Duku’s claim that he handed over the funds to his superiors, citing lack of evidence. Justice James Omotosho ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, describing the evidence presented by the ICPC as credible, consistent, and sufficient to establish the offenses charged.
Duku was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts or an option of fine equivalent to five times the amount involved in each count, amounting to about N1.6 billion. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The statement described the conviction as a major victory in the commission’s fight against corruption, emphasizing that public officers who betray the trust reposed in them will be brought to justice.
According to the statement, the commission will continue to pursue all cases of graft with diligence and professionalism to safeguard public resources.