Former Kogi Commissioner Bags 19-Year Jail Term

Daniel Ojukwu

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission has revealed that a former Commissioner for Agriculture in Kogi State, Mr. Zachaeus Atte, has been sentenced to a 19-year jail term for fraud.

The Commission said this in a statement issued by its spokeswoman, Rasheedat Okoduwa.

The verdict was given at tje Kogi State High Court in Okene, Kogi State.

The statement read, “The convict, who is to serve a total of 19 years jail term, was sentenced to five years imprisonment each on counts one and three without an option of fine, for collecting the sum of N11,937,000 and N8,873,766 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.

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“This is an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 (ICPC Act). He was also sentenced on count two to five years imprisonment without an option of fine for receiving the sum of N350,000, being amount earmarked to defray the transportation costs of the farmers during the cocoa seedlings distribution exercise but failed to do so. This is also an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the ICPC Act.”

There were one-year sentences for Atte on counts eight to 11 for spending N2,849,953. Amounts earmarked for office equipment procurement.

“While reading his judgment, the trial judge justified the conviction of the defendant by noting that the ICPC legal team comprising the late Suberu Enebere, Okey Iwuagu, and Peace Arocha had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,” the statement read.