Court convicts former lawmaker over N212 million fraud charges after 12-year of trial

A former member of the House of Representatives of Mashi Dutsi federal constituency, Hon Mansur Ali Mashi, have been convicted by the Federal High Court, Kaduna on eight counts of conspiracy and obtaining by pretences.

Penpushing reports that  Mashi, was convicted by Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu after 12 years trial alongside three bank officials: Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu and Muazu Abdu, in a case the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) accused the former lawmaker of using fictitious companies to obtain a loan facility of N212 million fraudulently.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuted the convicted former lawmaker for using fictitious companies to obtain the money only from Sterling Bank, which he diverted for his personal use.

Penpushing further reports that upon arraignment, the defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them, and the case proceeded to trial, while in course of the the trial, the matter suffered several setbacks due to the elevation or retirement of the trial judges.

The prosecution, however, called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove the case against the defendants, while at the last adjourned date, counsel for the parties adopted their final written addresses and the matter was subsequently adjourned till 15 and 16 June for judgement.

Penpushing also reports that, when the matter was called on Thursday, 15 June, the 1st defendant was absent from court, but the court, in a well-considered judgement, pronounced him guilty on counts 1 to 8 and was convicted accordingly.

The 4th defendant in the same vein was absent, but the court found him guilty on all counts, however reserved sentencing for the two absentee defendants until they were arrested and brought before the court.

Penpushing reports that the 2nd defendant, Abdulmumin Mustapha, who was the former branch manager of Sterling Bank, was convicted on counts 1 to 15 and sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count without the option of a fine.

The court further ordered the 2nd defendant to restitute Sterling Bank in N40, 000,000 (Forty Million Naira), while the 3rd defendant, who was the former Head of Operation of the bank, was discharged on counts 1-8 but convicted on counts 9 to 15 and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on each count without an option of fine.

Penpushing also reports that the 1st defendant,  who is a former lawmaker is equally awaiting judgement in a case of contempt of court before the same court, which was slated for June 16, and in  this particular case, he (Mashi) is alleged to have sold the properties that were confiscated from him by the Court through an interim forfeiture order.

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