The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has secured a 24-year prison sentence for Garuba Duku, a former Director of Finance and Administration at the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), over the fraudulent diversion of ₦318 million.
The conviction was announced in a statement issued on Thursday by Mr. Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education at the ICPC.
According to the ICPC, Duku misappropriated ₦318,250,000 belonging to the AMMC between 2012 and 2013, transferring the funds in several instalments into his personal Fidelity Bank account.
These funds were later funnelled to Bureau de Change operators for unauthorised use.
The transactions, totaling ₦56.25 million, ₦71 million, ₦53 million, ₦54 million, ₦46 million and ₦36.3 million were described by the ICPC as violations of public financial regulations and a serious breach of trust.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who presided over the case (Suit No: FHC/ABJ/CR/608/2022), found Duku guilty on all six counts related to corruption and money laundering.
The court rejected Duku’s defence that he merely handed the money to his superiors, citing lack of evidence.
In delivering judgment, the judge ruled:
“The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. The evidence was credible, consistent, and sufficient to establish the offences charged.”
Duku was sentenced to four years on each count, with the terms to run concurrently. Alternatively, he may opt to pay a fine equal to five times the sum involved per count, totaling approximately ₦1.6 billion.
Reacting to the judgment, Bakare hailed the outcome as a major step forward in the agency’s anti-corruption efforts:
“This conviction sends a clear message: no one entrusted with public funds is above the law. The ICPC remains committed to ensuring that public officers who betray public trust face justice.”
He added that the commission would continue to pursue corruption cases with “diligence and professionalism.”
This case adds to a string of successful convictions by the ICPC.
In May 2024, the agency secured a jail sentence for an NSCDC commandant over a recruitment scam.
Similarly, in 2019, Dr. Saad Alanamu, a former ICPC board nominee, and his associate Salman Sulaiman were sentenced to 24 years for bribery.
