Ex Adamawa Commissioner Jailed 10 Years For Embezzling N51.5m While in Office

Former Adamawa Commissioner of Local Government Affairs John Elias has been sentenced to 10 years in jail for defrauding Adamawa State government of the sum of N51.5 million while in office. The EFCC had arraigned Elias alongside two others and a company owned by Elias on four count charges of fraud.

"I hereby sentenced the first convict, John Babani Elias to 10 years imprisonment on count 3 and another 10 years imprisonment on count 4 but the two sentences will run concurrently," Justice Bilkisu Aliyu ruled. "In addition, the first convict must return/refund the sum of N51.5 million to Adamawa state local Government joint account fund from where it was stolen and diverted by him and his company," she said.

The judge also ordered the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to wind up Al-Akim Investment Limited and have its assets forfeited to the federal government of Nigeria. The others were discharged.

According to Justice Bilikisu Aliyu of the Federal High Court in Yola, the judgement will serve as a deterrent to public office holders who may want to divert public funds. For personal benefit.