Justice J.J Majebi of the Kogi State High Court sitting in Okene has jailed a former Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Mr. Zachaeus Atte, for 19 years.
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) said it secured Atte’s conviction on corruption charges.
The anti-corruption agency said in a series of tweets that the ex-commissioner was found guilty on 7 out of the 11 counts of the charge preferred against him.
“The convict who is to serve a total of 19 years jail term, was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment each on counts 1 and 3 without an option of fine, for collecting the sum of =N=11,937,000:00 and =N=8,873,766:85K respectively, being money meant for the raising and distribution of Oil Palm Sprouted Nuts Seedlings” to cocoa farmers in Kogi State but did not raise nor distribute same.
“This is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 (ICPC Act),” the agency said.
While reading his judgment, the trial judge justified the conviction of the defendant by noting that the ICPC Legal team comprising late Suberu Enebere Esq., Okey Golden Iwuagu Esq., and Peace Arocha Esq. (Mrs.) had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
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