N160MILLION FRAUD: KOGI GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS JAILED 12 YEARS

Justice J. J. Majebi of the Kogi State High Court, sitting in Okene, has sentenced and convicted the trio of Joseph Y. Agbo, John Ekele and Abubakar Adamu who were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC to twelve years imprisonment.

They were arraigned on 13th March, 2012, on a four count charge of Criminal conspiracy and Criminal Breach of Trust punishable under Sections 97 (1) and 315 of the Penal Code Law of Kogi State, for defrauding the state government to the tune of One Hundred and Sixty Million Naira Only (N160,000.000.00).

Joseph Y. Agbo, Director, Local Government and Head of Service; John Ekele, Treasurer and Financial Adviser to the Executive Chairman and Abubakar Adamu, Chief Environmental Health Officer were arraigned by EFCC. They were alleged to have converted the loan, which they obtained on behalf of the Bassa Local Government Council for specific projects to their personal use, thereby violating Section 97(1) and 315 of the Penal Code Law of Kogi State.


They all pleaded not guilty to the charges, thereby setting the stage for their full trial.

Delivering his judgement on the matter, Justice Majebi convicted and sentenced both Agbo and Ekele to two years imprisonment each on count one and two years imprisonment on counts two and three.


Adamu was also convicted and sentenced to two years imprisonment on count one and two years imprisonment on count four.