The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on
Monday secured the conviction of a former member of the Kogi State House of
Assembly and former Caretaker Chairman, Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of the
state, Gabriel Daudu, for a N1.4 billion fraud.
Mr. Daudu, who was first arraigned in April 2010, was
prosecuted by the EFCC on a 208-count charge bordering on money laundering and
misappropriation of public funds.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who tried the case at the Federal High
Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, found him guilty of 77 counts and sentenced him to
154-year imprisonment.
In his ruling, the trial judge held that the prosecution
proved its case beyond every reasonable doubt, and therefore sentenced Mr.
Daudu to two years on each of the 77 counts to run concurrently.
Before the conviction of the politician, prosecuting
counsel, Wahab Shittu, tendered various exhibits before the court and fielded
13 witnesses to prove the case against him.
In the course of the trial, Justice Ekwo indicated that the
trial might have to start afresh as the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court,
Justice Ibrahim Auta, asked Justice P.M. Ayuba of the Lokoja Division of the
court to take over the case.
However, Mr. Shittu pleaded with Justice Auta to review the
decision. The Chief Judge, thereafter, returned the case file to Justice Ekwo,
who, Monday, found Mr. Daudu guilty of the 77 counts.
Since the sentences are running concurrently, Mr. Daudu will
spend only two years in jail.
