Ex-NULGE officials to pay N150,000 for N14.5m fraud

A Taraba State Hgh Court on Tuesday convicted former Chairman, National Union of Local Government Employees, Yorro Local Government, Taraba State, Maigari Ibrahim, and his Assistant Secretary, Alhaji Sani Mazang, for N14.56m fraud.

Justice Filibus Andetur, who found them guilty of conspiracy and criminal breach of trust, contrary to Sections 97 and 315 of the Penal Code, sentenced them to nine years imprisonment.

The duo however escaped with an option of fine.

A statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission  Acting Head, Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the judge ordered them to pay N25,000 on the first count and N50,000 on the second count.

It will be recalled that Justice Abubakar Talba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gudu, had  recently faced a panel of the National Judicial Council for giving a ridiculous option of fine to a pension convict, John Yusuf.

Yusuf, an Assistant Director in the Police Pension Office, was sentenced to a two-year jail term for conspiring to steal about N27.2bn.

But the Judge gave him an option of N750,000 fine for the three counts. The sentence sparked negative criticisms of the Judge throughout the nation.

According to Uwujaren, Justice Andetur said he had taken cognizance of the pleas and position of the law.

“He therefore sentenced them to two years each on the first count, and seven years on the second, respectively. Alternatively, they are to pay a fine of N25, 000 and N50, 000 on counts 1 and 2, respectively,” the statement said.

Maigari and Sani were first arraigned on July 27, 2011.

Their arrest and subsequent arraignment were sequel to a petition by a new generation bank, which they allegedly defrauded to the tune of N14.56m.