Kebbi LG chairman, finance director jailed for N54m contract fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of the Sole Administrator of Sakaba Local Government Area in Kebbi State, Mr. Abubakar Bawa Makuku, and the Director of Finance and Supply, Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, over contract fraud and abuse of office involving N54 million.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, Demola Bakare, following the judgment delivered by Justice E. Gakko of the Federal High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi.

According to the ICPC, the two officials were arraigned on multiple counts of abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and financial misconduct.

During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Mr. Hamza Sani, presented evidence showing that Mr. Fakai withdrew a total of N54 million from the coffers of the local government in six tranches of N9 million each, in a bid to evade financial reporting procedures.

The court also found that Mr. Makuku corruptly awarded contracts without following due process and personally benefited from the diversion of N10 million meant for official engagements of the local government.

Delivering judgment, Justice Gakko found both men guilty of the charges. Mr. Fakai was sentenced to three years in prison or an option of a N2.5 million fine, while Mr. Makuku received a four-year jail term or a fine of N1 million as compensation to Sakaba Local Government, in addition to another N1.5 million fine.

The ICPC said the ruling reaffirms its commitment to ensuring that public officials who misuse their positions for personal enrichment are held accountable under the law.