A Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced a retired Director of Finance and Administration at the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), Garuba Mohammed Duku, to 24 years in prison for diverting ₦318 million belonging to the government.
AMMC is under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
Justice James Omotosho delivered the judgement after finding Duku guilty on six counts of corruption and money laundering brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) in suit number FHC/ABJ/CR/608/2022.
How the Fraud Was Committed
According to the ICPC, investigations revealed that between 2012 and 2013, Duku diverted ₦318,250,000 from AMMC accounts into his personal Fidelity Bank account.
The funds were allegedly released in multiple tranches, including ₦56.25 million, ₦71 million, ₦53 million, ₦54 million, ₦46 million, and ₦36.3 million, and later exchanged through Bureau de Change operators for purposes not authorised by government regulations.
The Commission said the withdrawals and transfers were made in violation of financial regulations and constituted a clear breach of public trust.
During the trial, Duku claimed the money was disbursed to his superiors, but the court dismissed the defence for lack of evidence.
Justice Omotosho held that the ICPC had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, stating that the testimonies and documents tendered “clearly established the guilt of the defendant”.
The judge sentenced Duku to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, to run concurrently. He also imposed an option of a fine equal to five times the amount involved in each count, totalling about ₦1.6 billion.
ICPC Reacts to Judgment
In a statement issued on Thursday, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare described the ruling as another victory in the Commission’s campaign against corruption in public service.
“This conviction underscores ICPC’s unwavering commitment to holding public officers accountable and ensuring that those who betray public trust through corrupt practices are brought to justice,” Bakare said.
The ICPC added that the outcome demonstrates its resolve to recover stolen public assets through the courts and deter financial misconduct among government officials.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
