The Federal High Court sitting in Birnin Kebbi has sentenced the Caretaker Chairman of Sakaba Local Government Area, Abubakar Bawa Makuku, and the council’s Director of Finance and Supply, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, to prison for misappropriating ₦54 million through fraudulent contract awards and illegal withdrawals.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed this in a statement on Friday, signed by its Director of Public Enlightenment and Education, Demola Bakare.
According to the Commission, the duo were convicted by Justice E. Gakko after being found guilty on multiple counts bordering on abuse of office, financial misconduct, and money laundering.
The prosecution, led by ICPC counsel Hamza Sani, told the court that Fakai withdrew ₦54 million from the council’s account in six tranches of ₦9 million each — a move designed to evade the financial reporting threshold required by law.
Investigations also revealed that Makuku, during his tenure as caretaker chairman, awarded fictitious contracts without due process and pocketed ₦10 million purportedly meant for official functions.
One of the charges read in court stated: “that you, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, in June 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, withdrew a total of ₦54,000,000.00 from the council’s First Bank account in six tranches of ₦9,000,000.00 each with intent to avoid the legal duty of reporting the said sum, thereby committing an offence contrary to Section 19(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.”
Despite pleading not guilty, Justice Gakko found both men culpable after reviewing evidence tendered by the anti-graft agency.
Fakai was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment or an option of ₦2.5 million fine, while Makuku received four years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦2.5 million, including ₦1 million compensation to Sakaba Local Government.
The ICPC noted that the judgment demonstrates its resolve to hold public officers accountable for misuse of public funds, particularly at the local government level, where corruption often undermines community development.
“This judgment underscores ICPC’s determination to ensure that public officers who betray public trust for personal gain are brought to justice,” the Commission said.
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