In Adamawa: Ex-Commissioner sentenced to 10 years in prison for N51.5m fraud.

John Elias (EFCC Nigeria)

He allegedly sold and appropriated some properties, which are under interim forfeiture to the Federal Government.

A former commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in Adamawa state, John Elias, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for defrauding Adamawa State government of the sum of N51.5 million while in office.

Justice Bilkisu Bello Aliyu found Elias guilty of the four count charges of fraud brought against him by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was arraigned on October 22, 2015.

The ex-commissioner was prosecuted, along with his three companies - Oil Trust Limited, AL-Akim Investment Nigeria Limited and Da’ama Specialist Hospital, for conspiracy and unlawful dealing in forfeited property.

He allegedly sold and appropriated some properties, which were under interim forfeiture to the Federal Government.

An evaluation exercise conducted by the EFCC on the forfeited properties revealed that the accused person sold  a landed property situated at Galadima Aminu Way, Yola to one Hamid Yusuf for N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira)  through his agent, Jibril Mairiga.

He  also allegedly gave another property on Atiku Abubakar Way, Yola, Adamawa State, to his brother, Dr. Joel Yohanna, for use as a private hospital.





Dimeji Akinloye.
Full story at Pulse NG.