KOGI FORMER COMMISSIONER BAGS 19 YEARS FOR STEALING N19 MILLION
A former Commissioner for Agriculture in Kogi State, Zacchaeus Atte, has been sentenced to 19 years imprisonment by the Divisional Court in Okene ,Kogi State for stealing N19 million, having being found guilty on seven out of the 11 counts of the charges against him.
Penpushing reports that, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences(ICPC) said the former Commissioner misappropriated funds meant for “the raising and distribution of Oil Palm Sprouted Nuts Seedlings” to cocoa farmers in Kogi State.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences(ICPC) told the court that Atte offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 (ICPC Act).
Penpushing further reports that, Justice J.J Majebi found Atte guilty and was convicted on corruption charges by a Kogi State High Court sitting in Okene and is to serve a total of 19 years jail term,
The former Commissioner was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment each on counts 1 and 3 without an option of fine, for collecting the sum of =N=11,937,000:00 and =N=8,873,766:85K respectively, being money meant for “the raising and distribution of Oil Palm Sprouted Nuts Seedlings” to cocoa farmers in Kogi State but did not raise nor distribute same.
‘This is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 (ICPC Act)’, the court ruled, and he was also sentenced on count 2 to five years imprisonment without an option of fine, “for receiving the sum of =N=350,000:00 being amount earmarked to defray the transportation costs of the farmers during the cocoa seedlings distribution exercise” but failed to do so. This is also an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the ICPC Act’.
Penpushing also reports that he was further sentenced to one-year imprisonment each on counts 8 to 11 for “spending from the sum of =N=2,849,953:75K being the amount earmarked for the purchase of office equipment on what he called Statewide Sensitization Tour; visit to Lagos from Lokoja on issues of Power Tiller; and Video Coverage” contrary to and punishable under section 22(5) of the ICPC Act.
The trial judge while reading his judgment, justified the conviction of the defendant by noting that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences (ICPC) Legal team comprising Late Suberu Enebere Esq., Okey Golden Iwuagu Esq., and Peace Arocha Esq. (Mrs.) had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
