By Nkechi Eze
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Mr. Abubakar Bawa Makuku, Sole Administrator and Caretaker Chairman of Sakaba Local Government Area in Kebbi State, and Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, Director of Finance and Supply of the same council, over a N54 million contract fraud and abuse of office.
In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Commission, Demola Bakare, the ICPC disclosed that both officials were arraigned before Justice E. Gakko of the Federal High Court sitting in Birnin-Kebbi on multiple counts bordering on abuse of office, fraudulent contract awards, and financial misconduct.
During the trial, prosecution counsel, Mr. Hamza Sani, presented evidence establishing that Mr. Fakai unlawfully withdrew a total of N54 million from the coffers of Sakaba Local Government in six tranches of N9 million each, in a deliberate bid to evade financial reporting protocols.
The court also heard how Mr. Makuku, in his capacity as Sole Administrator, corruptly awarded contracts without adherence to due process and personally benefited from the diversion of N10 million earmarked for official engagements of the local government.
One of the charges filed against the Director of Finance and Supply read:
“That you, Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, in June 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while serving as Director of Finance and Supply, withdrew a total of N54,000,000.00 (Fifty-Four Million Naira) from the Sakaba Local Government bank account at First Bank Nigeria Plc in six tranches of N9,000,000.00 each, with the 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.”
Another charge against the Sole Administrator read:
“That you, Abubakar Bawa Makuku, in May 2016 or thereabout, at Sakaba Local Government Area of Kebbi State, while serving as Sole Administrator, used your office to confer corrupt advantage upon yourself by receiving N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) in cash from the Finance and Supply office of Sakaba Local Government. The funds were designated for official government activities but were not utilized for their intended purpose, thereby committing an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”
Both defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges, but after careful consideration of the evidence presented, Justice Gakko found them guilty as charged and convicted them accordingly.
Mr. Fakai was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment or an option of a N2.5 million fine, while Mr. Makuku received a four-year jail term or an option of a N1 million fine as compensation to Sakaba Local Government, in addition to another N1.5 million fine imposed by the court.
The ICPC described the judgment as a reaffirmation of its determination to hold public officers accountable for corruption and to ensure that those who misuse public trust for personal gain face the full weight of the law.
