A high court in Yola, the Adamawa state capital, has sentenced former state governor Barrister Bala James Ngillari to five years in jail without option of fine over corruption-related cases.
Leadership reports that the court, presided over by Justice Nathan Musa, handed down the sentence on Monday, March 6.
According to Premium Times, Justice Musa found Ngilari guilty of four charges and discharged him on one, which bordered on conspiracy, in the 75-minute long ruling.
The judge also discharged and acquitted former secretary to the state government Ibrahim Andrew Waliya and the Commissioner of Finance Sanda Jonathan Lamurde, who were second and third defendants in the case.
Ngilari, who was charged on September 21, 2016, will however have the choice of picking which prison to serve his sentence in.
Recall that Ngillari was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and arraigned before the Adamawa state High Court on a 19-count charge case bordering on fraudulent award of contract worth over N167 million.
He was however granted N1 million bail by Justice Nathan Musa on Thursday, September 22.
The former governor was also asked to provide one surety who must own a landed property in Yola, Adamawa state capital.
The surety, the court said, must submit an affidavit of mean to the court registrar before his release.
The court further adjourned the matter to Monday, October 10, for the commencement of trial.
Source: Premium Times
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