A Federal High Court sitting in Yola has sentenced a former Commissioner for Finance and Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Adamawa state John Elias to 10 years imprisonment without option of fine.
The court presided over by Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu also order Corporate Affairs Commission shut down a company, ALHAKIM NIGERIA LIMITED, which belongs to the commissioner, who served under Boni Haruna administration .
In his judgement on Friday, also ordered Elias to pay the state sum of N51.5 million which he stole while he was in office.
Justice citing 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 helped himself with resources of the state and hence have to be punished.
Elias was convicted on count 3 and 4 charges for which he was sentenced to 10 years on each charge though the two convictions would run concurrently.
The judge said, “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 Coy.
“With regards to the second convict ALHAKIM 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 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.”
