Justice N. I. Afolabi of the Federal High Court sitting in Gombe as sentenced a former Chairman of Shongom Local Government in the state, Samuel Bulus Adamu, to 31 years imprisonment over N97.6 fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had, on March 9, 2015, arraigned Adamu on a seven-count charge bordering on fraud, cheating and money laundering to the tune of N97, 640, 000.00.
The anti-graft agency said a company, TICAN Engineering Enterprises, petitioned its Gombe zonal office on May, 9, 2011, on allegations bordering on fraud, cheating and money laundering by way of inflation of contracts for rural electrification of Keffi, Kwara, Gangamari, Daja, Gurwa, Gundale, Bebbulo, Kuka, and Damjigiri areas of Shongom Local Govt from N66, 000, 000 which was initially approved by the Tender Board to N97.6million.
When the charges were read to Adamu, he pleaded not guilty, thus prompting the EFCC to prosecute him for more than five years.
During the trial, prosecution counsels, A. M. Labaran and A. Y Muntaka, called four witnesses and tendered exhibits.
Giving the judgment on Thursday, Justice Afolabi found Adamu guilty of all the seven- count charges.
He consequently sentenced him to five years imprisonment on counts 1, 2 and 4 without an option of fine. On count 3, the court sentenced him to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine and on counts 5, 6 and 7, he was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment each without an option of fine.
The sentence is to commence from July 10, 2020, and run concurrently.
Justice Afolabi also ordered the convict to pay the sum of N31, 640, 000 to Shongom Local Government through the registry of the court under the supervision of the EFCC.