Chima Azubuike, Gombe
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Gombe Zonal office secured the conviction of Samuel Bulus Adamu before Justice N. I . Afolabi of Federal High Court Gombe in a Seven count charge bordering on fraud, cheating and Money Laundering.
Adamu, a former Chairman of Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State was arraigned following a petition submitted to EFCC Gombe Zonal office by TICAN
Engineering Enterprises on allegations bordering on fraud, cheating and money laundering to the tune of N97, 640, 000.
Adamu was alleged to have inflated contract 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 tender board of Gombe state to N97.6m.
The Prosecution A. M. Labaran and A. Y Muntaka had called 4 witnesses who testified beyond reasonable doubt as required by law, and tendered several exhibits.
Delivering the Judgement, the trial judge found the defendant guilty of all the 7 counts.
The court sentenced him to 5 years imprisonment on counts 1, 2 and 4 without option of fine. On count 3, the court sentenced him to 7 years imprisonment without an option of fine. On counts 5, 6 and 7 the court sentenced him to 3 years imprisonment each without option of fine.
Justice Afolabi also ordered the convict to pay the sum of N31, 640, 000 to the coffers of Shongom local government through the registry of the court under the supervision of the EFCC.