By Atoyebi Nike
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 (AMMC), over corruption and money laundering involving ₦318 million.
In a statement, the ICPC said the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, found Duku guilty on a six-count charge and sentenced him to 24 years’ imprisonment. The charges were filed in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/608/2022.
Investigations revealed that between 2012 and 2013, Duku fraudulently diverted ₦318,250,000 belonging to AMMC into his personal Fidelity Bank account. The funds included several payments ₦56.25 million, ₦71 million, ₦53 million, ₦54 million, ₦46 million, and ₦36.3 million which were later sent to Bureau de Change operators and used for unauthorized purposes.
During the trial, the ICPC proved that the release and withdrawal methods employed by Duku violated government financial regulations. His claim that the funds were disbursed to superiors was dismissed for lack of evidence.
Justice Omotosho ruled that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced Duku to four years on each of the six counts, to run concurrently. He was also given the option of paying fines totalling about ₦1.6 billion.
The ICPC described the judgment as a clear message that corrupt public officers will be held accountable in accordance with the law.
