A former Director of Finance and Administration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, Garuba Mohammed Duku, has been sentenced to 24 years imprisonment.
He was on Friday jailed by the Federal High Court in Abuja which found him guilty of the six-count money laundering charges brought against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.
Justice James Omotosho pronounced Duku guilty and sentenced him accordingly after reviewing the evidence and exhibits tendered during trial by ICPC and the testimonies of witnesses in the trial.
The judge convicted Duku on the six counts, sentencing him to four years for each count.
Following the passionate plea for leniency by the convict, and being a first offender, Justice Omotosho ordered that the sentence should run concurrently meaning that the convict will only serve four years in jail, beginning from October 3, 2025.
However, the convict may not serve time in jail as the judge gave him an option of N1.6 billion fine, to be paid to the Federal Government in place of the jail term.
Duku who served as Director of Finance and Administration under Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, AMMC, was found guilty of unlawfully taking possession of N318 million belonging to his employer.
He was convicted under Section 18 (2) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act after the judge rejected his defense.
Justice Omotosho ordered that the convict should serve his jail term at Kuje Prison in Abuja.
Ex-FCTA Finance Director Duku jailed 24 years for money laundering