Ex-Lagos LG boss bags 2 years for embezzlement

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Category: Law, Crime & Judiciary
Published on Thursday, 01 April 2010 04:54
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Justice Olubunmi Oyewole of the Criminal Division of the Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja on Wednesday, sentenced a former Chairman of the Lagos Island Local Government under Chief Bola Tinubu’s administration, Prince Lukman Ajose, to two years imprisonment for misappropriation of public funds without an option of fine.

Prince Ajose was arraigned before the court on July 17, 2007, by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission, (ICPC), on a six-count charge bordering on using public office to confer corrupt advantage on himself, an offence the commission said was contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Officers  Commission Act 2000.

Justice Oyewole found him guilty of four out of the six charges proffered against him and sentenced him to two years imprisonment on each of the count charges.

“I have considered the allocutus of the learned defence counsel as well as the entire circumstances of this case. Corruption has been broadly identified as a major impediment to the growth of our nation and has given to monstrous proportions. In that wise, every proven incidence thereof must not be treated with kid gloves if the monster is to be tamed.

“In the circumstances therefore, the defendant is hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment without option of fine on each of counts 1, 2, 5 and 6 respectively.” Justice Oyewole said.

The judge added that the jail terms were to run concurrently.

One of the statements of offence said, “Prince Lukman Ajose (M) in June 2000 at Lagos being a public officer did use his office to confer corrupt advantage upon himself by collecting the sum of N183, 500.00 belonging to Lagos Island Local Government Council for purportedly attending a thre-day seminar organised by the Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry between 27th and 29th June 2000, which he never attended.”

The total sum of money appropriated by the council boss was N1, 029, 550, 00.

Source: Tribune