Nigerian official sentenced to 70 years for fraud

In big win for Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign, official sentenced over abuse of office totaling $4.4M

By Rafiu Ajakaye


LAGOS, Nigeria (AA) - A Nigerian official has been sentenced to 70 years in jail after being found guilty of charges of conspiracy, fraud, and abuse of office to the tune of $4.4 million.


An appeals court in the northwestern Kebbi state found Mohamed Dakingari, the state’s account-general, guilty of 20 counts filed against him by the country's anti-graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.


In a big win for Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign, the appeals court overturned a lower court ruling which had dismissed the fraud charges against the top official.


The anti-graft agency accused the official of unlawfully using a firm he owned to get contracts and divert public funds. The agency insisted that Dakingari’s stake in the firm -- Beal Construction Ltd. -- violated civil service regulations forbidding serving officers from owning businesses.


The lower court had convicted two officials of the firm charged with Dakingari but freed him, prompting the appeal.


Be the first to comment
UYARI: Küfür, hakaret, rencide edici cümleler veya imalar, inançlara saldırı içeren, imla kuralları ile yazılmamış,
Türkçe karakter kullanılmayan ve büyük harflerle yazılmış yorumlar onaylanmamaktadır.

Current News