Sokoto Director Diverts N2.6m Meant For Construction Of Borehole

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Tuesday, arraigned a Deputy Director, Infrastructure, of the Sokoto Agriculture Development Project (SADP), Aminu Abdullahi Mega.

Mega was arraigned before Justice Malami Umar of High Court 3, Sokoto, for allegedly diverting the sum of N2.6 million belonging to the state government.

He was arraigned on a two-count bordering on fraudulent diversion of government funds.

ICPC in a statement on its facebook page, said the “N2, 626, 500” was meant for the construction of a borehole at SADP Housing estate in the state.

The statement also accused Mega of presenting fake receipts to the anti-graft agency during investigation to cover the fraud, thereby committing an offence contrary to Sections 16 and 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 and punishable under the same section.

According to the statement, the accused pleaded guilty when the charges were read to him.

“ICPC counsel, Mashkur Salisu, who had earlier tendered before the court, documents showing evidence of recoveries made from the accused by the commission, prayed the judge to convict him as charged according to the provisions of Section 273 (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2019 of Sokoto State,” the statement reads.

Continuing, the statement added: “The prayer was not opposed by counsel to the accused, Mr. A. Danbuwa even as Justice Umar then adjourned the case to 26th October, 2020, for judgment.

“The deputy director was then admitted to bail on the same terms and conditions of bail administration earlier granted him by the commission.”