By our reporter
It was a case of being between the devil and the deep blue sea today as a former Director of Finance and Administration (DFA) with Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Garba Mohammed Duku, was sentenced to 24 years imprisonment on six-count charges of money laundering.
Duku, now an old man, passionately pleaded for leniency before his conviction, with Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja ordering him, in lieu of serving time in gaol, to pay to government coffers the sum of about N1.6 billion as fine.
The judge also ordered that the 24 years should run concurrently, beginning 3 October, 2025, meaning Duku will serve four years in Kuje Correctional Centre,where the court ordered him to -should he fail on the fine option.
The court found him guilty of the money laundering charges brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice Omotosho pronounced Duku guilty and sentenced him accordingly after reviewing the evidence and exhibits tendered during trial by ICPC and the testimonies of witnesses in the trial.
The judge convicted Duku on the six counts, sentencing him to four years for each count.
Following the plea for leniency by the convict, and being a first offender, Justice Omotosho ordered that the sentences should run concurrently.
Duku, who served as DFA under Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), an agency known for constant award of major contracts to keep infrastructure and other aspects of the Federal Capital City (FCC) running smoothly, was found guilty of unlawfully taking possession of the sum of N318 million belonging to FCTA.
The man formerly in charge of funds in the agency was convicted under Section 18 (2) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act, after Justice Omotosho rejected his defence.
