Ex-Minister Jailed For 3-month Over N450 Million Fraud

A Federal High Court in Jos on Tuesday sentenced former Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, alongside two others for N450 million fraud.

The court also sentenced Raymond Dabo and Leo Jitung to three months imprisonment each.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged them in 2018 with conspiracy and money laundering.

Delivering ruling, Justice Musa Kurna gave the convicts an option to pay a fine of N1 million each.

Ms Ochekpe and Messrs Dabo and Jitung had entered a plea of no case submission.

During sentencing, the judge held that after withdrawing the money from the bank, they did not withhold the money to themselves but delivered same to a governorship candidate, as such were not guilty of retaining the sum for themselves.

Justice Kurna, however, said they were guilty of withdrawing the N450 million which he said was above the threshold of an individual withdrawal.

He said the offences, which contravened Section 16(1) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2013 as amended, carries a minimum of three years imprisonment or a N10 million fine.

The judge, however, in his discretion sentenced them to three months imprisonment each or an option of N1 million naira in fine each.

(NAN)