Corruption is a serious issue that affects many societies, taking away resources that should be used for the public good.
When those in positions of trust misuse their power for personal gain, it undermines the whole system.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has successfully secured the conviction of an accountant at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), Sokoto, Lukumanu Sani Waziri.
UDUTH Accountant Guilty Of Embezzlement
Waziri was found guilty of embezzling over ₦60 million through the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
Waziri was found guilty of corruption and abuse of office after he used unauthorized access to GIFMIS to divert public funds into private accounts, including his own and that of his accomplice, Monday Adejo.
In a statement issued on Sunday, ICPC spokesperson, Demola Bakare, said that Waziri, along with two others, was charged in 2021 in a nine-count fraud case before Justice M. Abdulgafar of the Federal High Court in Sokoto.
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ICPC Evidences Against UDUTH Accountant
During the trial, ICPC prosecutor, Dr. Osuobeni Akponimisingha, presented evidence showing how Waziri manipulated financial records to facilitate the illegal transfer of government funds into private accounts.
One of the charges revealed that the UDUTH accountant and accomplice conspired to steal over ₦20 million from GIFMIS and deposit it into Adejo’s First Bank account.
Waziri also altered bank account details for state taxes, redirecting funds meant for Kogi, Edo, Bauchi, and Zamfara states into Adejo’s account.
Jail Terms
On Friday, Justice Abdulgafar found Waziri guilty on seven out of the nine charges.
The court sentenced him to one year in prison or a fine of ₦200,000 for counts 1 and 2, one year in prison for counts 3, 4, and 5 without an option of fine, and three years in prison or a fine of N500,000 for counts 8 and 9.
The sentences will run concurrently.
