Court sentences former Adamawa Commissioner to 10 yrs imprisonment; shut down his Coy
By; Tina Phineas, Yola.
A former commissioner of finance during The administration of former Governor Boni Haruna in Adamawa state, Mr John Babani Elias has been sentenced to ten years imprisonment for embezzlement of public funds.
Ruling on the case before her court, Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu of Federal High Court Yola declared that the convict(Elias)was found guilty based on count 3 and 4 among the charges against him.
The court also ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission (CSC) to shut down his Company and to pay back to the state the sum of N51.5 million which he stole while he was in office.
Aliyu who delivered the judgment under section 3 (2) of the miscellaneous act said the judgment will serve as a deterrent to public office holders who may want to dip their hands into resources meant for developmental projects.
She noted that Elias ought to have protected the public trust reposed in him by living above board but instead, decided to flagrantly helped himself with resources of the state and hence have to be punished.
The judge convicted Elias on count 3 and 4 charges and imprisoned him for 10 years on each charge though the two convictions would run concurrently.
“I hereby sentenced the first convict 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 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 Al akim Investment Nigeria Limited, I sentenced it to pay a fine of N5 million on the offenses 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 offenses and all its assets forfeited to federal government of Nigeria,” Aliyu stated.
