A former academic staff member, Muhammed Sani Nuhu, at Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Kebbi State, has been sentenced to five years imprisonment for embezzlement. Muhammed Sani Nuhu reportedly diverted over N6 million belonging to the polytechnic to himself. His conviction follows investigations carried out by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
In a statement by the Commission Spokesperson, Azuka Ogugua, on Tuesday, it was revealed that Nuhu had used the sum of two million Naira in 2015 and four million, one hundred and seventy-three thousand, four hundred Naira in 2016, which he converted to his personal use. The funds were employed as part of the tuition for his Doctor of Philosophy programme at the University of Technology Malaysia, and to attend an international conference in Aberdeen, United Kingdom.
The trial of the former polytechnic lecturer, who had since been dismissed, lasted two years. In charge No. KB/HC/4C/2020, counsel to the ICPC, Mashkur Salisu told the court that the convict refused to embark on the said programme which necessitated the special grant awarded him, and instead used the money for personal purposes, contrary to Section 19 of the Corrupt Practises and Other Related Offences Act, 2000, as well as Section 311 of the Penal Code, and punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Law (Cap 89) Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963.
The trial judge found Nuhu guilty on counts one to three but dismissed count four levelled against him. As a result, Justice Usman sentenced him to five years imprisonment on each of the three counts. The court also ruled that Nuhu made restitution of the sum of N6.5m million, which was the proceeds of the crime, to the Federal Government. The sentences are to run concurrently.
This sentence is coming amid a counter-corruption campaign by the present administration. The action by the ICPC on the former academic staff member serves as a deterrent to others and is an indication that the fight against corruption remains a priority of the government and the anti-corruption agency.
