ICPC Secures 24-Year Jail Term For Former FCTA Director Over N318m Fraud

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured the conviction of Mr. Garuba Mohammed Duku, a retired Director of Finance and Administration with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), for corruption and money laundering involving N318 million.

Mr. Duku was convicted and sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, after being found guilty on a six-count charge filed by the Commission in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CR/608/2022.

Investigations by ICPC revealed that between 2012 and 2013, the convict fraudulently diverted N318,250,000 belonging to AMMC into his personal account domiciled at Fidelity Bank Plc. The probe further showed that he received multiple payments amounting to the said sum — including N56.25 million, N71 million, N53 million, N54 million, N46 million, and N36.3 million — which were transferred to Bureau de Change operators and expended for unauthorized purposes.

During the trial, ICPC proved that the method used by the defendant to release and withdraw funds was fraudulent and in violation of extant government financial regulations. The Commission also successfully refuted Mr. Duku’s claim that the funds were disbursed to his superiors, as he failed to produce any evidence to support the assertion.

In his judgment, Justice Omotosho held that the totality of evidence and witness testimonies presented by the prosecution proved the defendant’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Consequently, the court sentenced Mr. Duku to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, or an option of fine equivalent to five times the amount involved in each count, totaling approximately N1.6 billion. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The ICPC described the conviction as another demonstration of its unwavering commitment to holding public officers accountable and ensuring that those who betray the public trust through corrupt practices face the full weight of the law.