Court Sends 2 Prominent PDP Chieftains to Prison over N142m Election Bribe Scam
- Two chieftains of the PDP in Bauchi state, Saleh Gamawa and Aminu Gadiya, have been jailed over their involvement in N142 million money laundering
- According to the EFCC, the money was laundered to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential elections in Bauchi state
- Despite pleading for leniency, the judge sentenced the two to prison but gave them the option of N3 million fine
Bauchi state - The Federal High Court in Bauchi has convicted two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Saleh Gamawa and Aminu Gadiya, for conspiracy and money laundering involving N142 million.
The duo were prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for receiving N142 million in cash to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential elections in Bauchi state.
Source: Getty Images
This was disclosed in a statement released by the anti-corruption agency on Saturday, March 11.
How Saleh Gamawa and Aminu Gadiya committed the fraud - EFCC
Saleh Gamawa and Aminu Gadiya were members of the Finance and Funds Disbursement Committee of the PDP for the 2015 general elections.
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According to the EFCC, they accepted the cash payment in excess of the threshold provided by law.
Defendants plead for leniency
Gamawa, in his allocutus, urged the court to be lenient and temper justice with mercy.
“I have a large family which includes the family of my elder brother who turned blind and cannot fend for his family; they look up to me for sustenance, since the beginning of this case neither the political party nor the Government came to my rescue, thus I urge the court to forgive me”, he stated.
Gadiya also pleaded for leniency, arguing that he is a retiree and had not benefited from the money.
Court gives verdict
Legit.ng gathers that the judge, Hassan Dikko, acknowledged their pleas for leniency but insisted that they must be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.
The judge gave his judgement on Thursday, March 2, convicting and sentencing them to jail with an option of fine.
He sentenced the two PDP bigwigs to two years imprisonment at the Bauchi Correction Service or a fine of N3 million each in lieu of imprisonment on count 1.
The judge further sentenced them to two years imprisonment with an option of N3 million in lieu of imprisonment on count 2.
The sentences are to run concurrently from 2 March.
Nigerians react
Folorunso Adalumo commented on Facebook:
"Good, none was at large or tried in absences. Why are the duo pleading leniency when initially they claimed "not guilty". Let them face the terms to serve as deterrent as observed by erudite Judiciary. EFCC, well done."
Engr Aliyu Abba said:
"Which Kind of country are we?? imagine a case since 2015 elections Is now that The final Judgement was passed What Are They waiting for 8 yrs."
Bn Muhammad Sabo Usman told the EFCC:
"Great job. Keep up the good work"
EFCC arrests lecturer with N306,700 on Election Day
In another report, a lecturer with the Sarwuan Tarka University (formerly known as the University of Agriculture), Makurdi, Benue state, Dr Cletus Tyokyaa was arrested by the EFCC over alleged vote-buying on Saturday, February 25.
He was arrested at the RCM Polling Unit in Daudu, Guma local government area of the state with the sum of N306,700 in various denominations stashed in his car.
The EFCC in a statement on its Facebook handle said luck ran out on Tarka when “he drove to the voting centre which was different from his polling unit and tried to run upon sighting operatives of the Commission.”
Source: Legit.ng
