Court of Court Sokoto River Basin Director five years to divert public funds

A high state court of Katsina sentenced the director of the administration of the Sokoto Rima Rimin Basin Development Authority (Srrbda), Rabiu Musa Matazu, to five years of prison to deviate the proceeds of the rents belonging to the Agency.

The sentence followed a three -year trial after the independent corrupt practices and other related crimes (ICPC) accused Matazu on charges of four counts on the edge of the abuse of charge and the criminal violation of trust.

The ICPC spokesman, Demola Bakare, in a declaration on Wednesday, said that the sentence was a victory in the fight against corruption in the public service.

The accusation, led by the ICPC consultant Ibrahim Garba, told the Court that Matazu, in October 2014, illegally collected ₦ 305,000 from a subordinate, Lawal Dan Sark, being proceeds from the rent from Srrbda’s properties in the state of Katsina and has converted the fund for personal use.

One of the accusations stated: “That you, Rabiu Musa Matazu, in October 2014, used your position as director of the Administration to confer an unjust advantage over you receiving the total sum of ₦ 305,000, the proceeds of the rental collected on behalf of Srrbda, which you have converted to your personal use.”

Although Matazu declared himself not guilty, the Justice Abbas Bawule considered him guilty for all four reasons.

He was sentenced to six months in prison with an option of ₦ 20,000 fine for three reasons and five years without a fine option for the fourth count. The phrases must perform simultaneously.

Reacting to the judgment, the ICPC described it as “a clear signal that public officials who betray the trust stored in them for personal profit will have to face the entire weight of the law”.

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