The Court of Appeal sitting in Yola, Adamawa State, has affirmed the conviction of former officer of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Ibrahim Mohammed Umar, in Yola South Local Government Area over N362m Diezani Bribe.
According to the statement released by EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, “Umar and his accomplice had earlier been convicted of a three-count charge by an Adamawa State High Court and sentenced to seven (7) years imprisonment for receiving a monetary benefit (bribery) to the tune of N362 million, being part of the bribe allegedly distributed by a former minister of petroleum resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke to influence the outcome of the 2015 elections.”
The statement reads: “Umar was arraigned alongside a former staff of a new generation bank by the EFCC on September 28, 2018. During the trial, EFCC called 14 witnesses and tendered several documents which were admitted in evidence.
Justice Nathan Musa, in his judgment, held that EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt as investigation proved that the convict was identified as the person who signed and collected the said sum and was unable to account for its whereabouts.
“He was therefore convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine on all the counts.
“Dissatisfied with the judgement, the convict approached the Court of Appeal, Yola Division on March 4, 2020, asking that the judgment of the lower court be set aside.
“The appellate court on April 14, 2021, delivered its judgement, wherein it unanimously affirmed the judgment of the lower court.”
Eyewitness or have a story to share? Submit your stories now via:
WhatsApp or
Email: rainsmedia59@gmail.com
Discover more from RainSMediaRadio
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
