The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Mr. Garuba Mohammed Duku, a retired Director of Finance and Administration with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), over corruption and money laundering involving ₦318 million.
Mr. Duku was convicted and sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment by the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho.
The conviction followed a six-count charge of corruption and money laundering filed by the ICPC in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/608/2022.
Investigations by the Commission revealed that between 2012 and 2013, Mr. Duku fraudulently diverted ₦318,250,000 belonging to the AMMC into his personal Fidelity Bank account.
He was found to have received multiple payments, including ₦56.25 million, ₦71 million, ₦53 million, ₦54 million, ₦46 million, and ₦36.3 million, which were subsequently converted through Bureau de Change operators and used for unauthorized purposes.
During the trial, ICPC successfully proved that the method employed by the defendant in releasing and withdrawing the funds was fraudulent and violated government financial regulations.
The Commission also debunked his claim that the funds were disbursed to his superiors, as no evidence supported the assertion.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho held that the evidence and witness testimonies presented by the ICPC established the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt. He therefore sentenced Mr. Duku to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, with an option of fine equivalent to five times the amount stated in each count, totaling about ₦1.6 billion. The sentences are to run concurrently.
The conviction, according to the ICPC, reinforces its commitment to holding public officers accountable and ensuring that those who betray public trust through corrupt practices face justice in accordance with the law.
PR: Adamu Yusuf
