Nigeria’s anti-graft agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has secured the conviction of two senior officials of Sakaba Local Government Area in Kebbi State over contract fraud and abuse of office involving ₦54 million.
In a statement on Friday, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare said the convicted officials — Mr. Abubakar Bawa Makuku, Sole Administrator and Caretaker Chairman of Sakaba LGA, and Mr. Ahmed Abdullahi Fakai, Director of Finance and Supply — were found guilty by Justice E. Gakko of the Federal High Court, Birnin-Kebbi, on multiple counts of financial misconduct, fraudulent contract awards, and abuse of office.
According to the statement, prosecution counsel Hamza Sani presented evidence showing that Mr. Fakai illegally withdrew ₦54 million from the council’s bank account in six tranches of ₦9 million each, deliberately structured to evade financial reporting requirements.
The court also heard that Mr. Makuku corruptly awarded contracts without due process and personally benefited from ₦10 million meant for official engagements of the local government.
In one of the charges, Fakai was accused of withdrawing ₦54 million from the Sakaba Local Government account at First Bank Nigeria Plc “with intent to avoid the legal duty of reporting the said sum,” contrary to Section 19(1)(c) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Another charge against Makuku stated that he “used his office to confer corrupt advantage upon himself” by collecting ₦10 million in cash meant for government activities that were never executed, an offence under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty, but Justice Gakko ruled that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
Mr. Fakai was sentenced to three years in prison or an option of a ₦2.5 million fine, while Mr. Makuku received four years’ imprisonment or a fine of ₦1 million as compensation to Sakaba Local Government, plus an additional ₦1.5 million fine.
The ICPC said the ruling reinforces its commitment to ensuring that public officers who betray public trust are held accountable in line with the law.