A Koton Karfe High Court has sentenced Mrs Modupe Adeyemi, a former Revenue clerk of Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja to 30 months imprisonment on 10 count charge.
Adeyemi has been standing trial since 27th October 2010 on 29 count Charge offences of using her position as public officer to confer corrupt advantage herself contrary to section 19 of the corrupt practices and other related offences Act 2000.
Also alleged that she was furnishing fAlse statement of returns in respect of public revenue entrusted in her care contrary to section 16 of the corrupt practice and other related offence and alteration of figures of sums in duplicate copies of UBA and Zenith Bank tellers with intent to defraud also contrary to section 15 of the Act.
She was alleged to have converted over N8.3 million which she admitted through confessional statement at various stages of investigations, admitted to committed the offences and used the money realised to build Pure Water Factory, House, Shares in Dangote and Dunlop groups and landed brought.
While delivering his judgment yesterday, the trial Judge, Justice Alaba Omolaye Ajileye explained the two factors responsible for the delay in trial of case,noting that there was the dilatory approach of the accused by her penchant for change of counsel incessantly and not less than five lawyers appeared for at different stages.
He added that delay in hearing of the case is also attributable to the fact that he has spent the better part of two and half years in one national assignment,having been called upon to serve at different election petition tribunals.
Justice Ajileve who convicted the accused person on 10 count charge offences, stated that the prosecution has failed to proof other 19 charges beyond reasonable doubt and burden of prove lies on the prosecution and therefore discharged and acquitted the accused person.
While sentencing the accused the Judge stated he has listened to the plea of the defence counsel ,Mr . Saiki on behalf of the convict, stated the conduct of the convict as a revenue clerk of the Federal Medical Centre is reprehensible.
"Her mode of fraudulent practices was crude and lacking in finesse. Her employers are also not completely out of the blame for lacking effective machinery of supervision over her. A system that accommodated and sustained the likes of the convict over such a period of time is surely over due for both clinical and surgical overhaul."
"All the same , I observe the soberness of the convict throughout the trial . I take this as evidence of her remorsefullness.While I shall be lenient with convict ,I shall follow the provision of the ICPC Act 2000 under. Which she has ben convicted. Accordingly,for 1,4.7,10,13,16,19,22,25 and 28. I sentence the accused to 3 months imprisonment each without option of fine. The sentence shall run concurrently,"he stressed
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