The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday secured the
conviction of a former member of the Kogi State House of Assembly and former
Caretaker Chairman, Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of the state, Gabriel
Daudu, for a N1.4 billion fraud.
Mr.
Daudu, who was first arraigned in April 2010, was prosecuted by the EFCC on a
208-count charge bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of public
funds.
Justice
Inyang Ekwo, who tried the case at the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi
State, found him guilty of 77 counts and sentenced him to 154-year
imprisonment.
In
his ruling, the trial judge held that the prosecution proved its case beyond
every reasonable doubt, and therefore sentenced Mr. Daudu to two years on each
of the 77 counts to run concurrently.
Before
the conviction of the politician, prosecuting counsel, Wahab Shittu, tendered
various exhibits before the court and fielded 13 witnesses to prove the case
against him.
In
the course of the trial, Justice Ekwo indicated that the trial might have to
start afresh as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim
Auta, asked Justice P.M. Ayuba of the Lokoja Division of the court to take over
the case.
However,
Mr. Shittu pleaded with Justice Auta to review the decision. The Chief Judge,
thereafter, returned the case file to Justice Ekwo, who, Monday, found Mr.
Daudu guilty of the 77 counts.
Since
the sentences are running concurrently, Mr. Daudu will spend only two years in
jail.
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