
For stealing about N20 million naira while in office, a former Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Zachaeus Atte, has been jailed for 19 years.
For stealing about N20 million naira while in office, a former Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Zachaeus Atte, has been jailed for 19 years.
A Kogi State High Court sitting in Okene, gave the judgment after Atte was convicted of corruption charges.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had prosecuted the ex-commissioner.
“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.
The money was meant for the raising and distribution of Oil Palm Sprouted Nuts Seedlings to cocoa farmers in Kogi State but did not raise or distribute same.
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.
Justice J.J Majebi sentenced him to one year imprisonment each on counts eight to 11 for spending from the sum of N2,849,953, being amount earmarked for the purchase of office equipment
The judge justified the conviction of the defendant, noting that the ICPC legal team comprising the late Suberu Enebere, Okey Iwuagu, and Peace Arocha had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The offences contravened Sections 19 and 22 (5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000
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