Former Reps member found guilty of N212m fraud

JUSTICE Sale Mansur Ali Mashi, a former member of the House of Representatives, was found guilty by Musa Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kaduna.

The conviction followed a drawn-out 12-year trial that involved accusations of conspiracy and obtaining through deception. In addition to Mashi, three bank employees—Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu, and Muazu Abdu—were also found guilty.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, which filed the charges against Mashi, claimed that he had obtained a loan facility worth N212,439,552 from Sterling Bank using fictitious companies. When Mashi later used the money for personal expenses, he was found guilty on eight counts of fraud.

All of the defendants entered not guilty pleas when they were called to the stand for arraignment. The case went forward to trial, but there were several setbacks as a result of the trial judges’ retirement or elevation. Despite these obstacles, the prosecution was still able to present a number of exhibits and call six witnesses to the stand.

Both parties delivered their final written addresses at the most recent adjourned date. In order for the judge to render a decision, the case was postponed until June 15 and 16, 2023.

The first and fourth defendants were not present when the court reconvened on June 15, 2023. Despite their absence, the judge found the first defendant guilty on counts 1 through 8; as a result, he was found guilty and sentenced to prison time. Additionally convicted and found guilty on all counts was the fourth defendant.

But until they could be apprehended and brought before the court, the sentences for both defendants were postponed.

Former Sterling Bank branch manager Abdulmumin Mustapha was found guilty on counts 1 through 15 and given a five-year prison sentence on each count, without the possibility of a fine. Additionally, the court mandated that Mustapha pay N40,000,00 back to Sterling Bank.

The third defendant, the former head of the bank’s operations, received a discharge on counts 1–8, but was found guilty on counts 9–15. Additionally, he was given a five-year prison term on each count without the possibility of a fine.

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On June 16, 2023, the first defendant, Mansur Ali Mashi, will receive a ruling in a separate case of contempt of court. Mashi is charged with selling assets that the court had taken through an interim forfeiture order from him in this case.