Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja on Thursday, February 8 convicted and sentenced former directors of the Rural Electricity Agency, (REA), to various jail terms for their culpability In the N5.2 billion scam.
The convicts include Engineer Samuel Ibi, former managing director, REA; Dr. Abdullahi Aliyu, former permanent secretary of the ministry of power; Simon Kirdi Nanle, an Accountant in REA; Engineer Kayode Orekoya, Director of Projects; Abdusamad Garba Hahun, Assistant Director and Kayode Oyedeji, Head of Legal Department.
They were charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for criminal breach of trust in fraudulently awarding contract for Grid Extension and Solar Electricity from the amended 2008 budget of the REA.
They also allegedly fraudulently facilitated the withdrawal of the sum of N119.7million from the account of the agency domiciled in Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
In the course of trial, the prosecution led by Kemi Pinheiro, called seven witnesses before closing its case.
Rather than open its defence, the defendants through Paul Ewekoro made a no case submission which was overruled by the Court and thereafter were called upon to open their defences.
The defendants were accordingly convicted and sentenced as follows: 1st defendant sentenced to 3 years imprisonment with an option of N5 million fine; the 3rd – 6th defendants sentenced to 3 years imprisonment with an option of of N500,000 fine each, payable within the 30 days.