From Tom Garba, Yola
A former Commissioner for Finance and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Adamawa State, Mr. John Elias has been sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
Judge Bilkisu Bello Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Yola handed down the sentence on Friday.
Mr. Elias served in the former Governor Boni Haruna administration,
The court also ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission to shut down Elias’ company, Al-Hakim Nigeria Limited and ordered him to refund N51.5 million to the state, which he stole while in office.
Judge Aliyu said her judgement would serve as a deterrent to public office holders who might want to steal from government coffers.
Aliyu noted that Elias ought to have protected the public trust giving to him by living above board but instead, he decided to flagrantly helpe himself with resources of the state.
The judge convicted Elias on Count 3 and 4 of the charges and sentenced him to 10 years on each charge, which would run concurrently.
Aliyu ordered: “I hereby sentenced the first accused, John Babani Elias, to 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 Al-Hakim Nigeria Limited, I sentenced 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 the Corporate Affairs Commission as provided by section 3(2) of the miscellaneous offences and all its assets forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria.”
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