Court Sends Adamawa Ex- Commissioner To 10 Years In Prison

Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu of
the Federal High Court, Yola,
Adamawa state on Friday
handed 10 years
imprisonment to sentenced
former Commissioner of Local
Government Affairs John Elias
for defrauding Adamawa State
government of the sum of
N51.5 million while in office.

The Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC) had arraigned
Elias along side two others who
were discharged as well as a
company owned by Elias on four
count charges of fraud.
Justice Aliyu said the judgement will
serve as a deterrent to public office
holders who may want to divert
public funds. For personal benefit.
"I hereby sentenced the first convict,
John Babani Elias to 10 years
imprisonment on count 3 and
another 10 years imprisonment on
count 4 but the two sentences will
run concurrently," Justice Bilkisu
Aliyu ruled.
"In addition, the first convict must
return/refund the sum of N51.5
million to Adamawa state local
Government joint account fund from
where it was stolen and diverted by
him and his company," she said.
The judge also ordered the
Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)
to wind up Al-Akim Investment
Limited and have its assets forfeited
to the federal government of
Nigeria.