Africa-Press – Nigeria. Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu of the Federal High Court in Kaduna has jailed a former Nigerian lawmaker, Mansur Ali Mashi, in a trial that lasted 12 years.
The one-time member of the House of Representatives was found guilty on eight counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretenses.
Mashi, who represented Mashi Dutsi Federal Constituency of Katsina State, was convicted alongside three bank officials: Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu and Muazu Abdu.
He was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for using fictitious companies to obtain a N212,439,552 loan from Sterling Bank, which he diverted.
The prosecution called six witnesses against the defendants, who pleaded not guilty to the charges in the case, which suffered setbacks due to elevation or retirement of the judges.
At the last adjourned date, counsel to the parties adopted final written addresses and the matter was adjourned till June 15 and 16, 2023 for judgment.
Apart from his sentencing, Mashi is awaiting judgment in a case of contempt before the same court for allegedly selling the properties that were confiscated from him.
Mustapha (2nd defendant) was convicted on counts 1 to 15 and sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count without option of fine.
The court further ordered Mustapha, a former branch manager, to restitute Sterling Bank in the sum of N40,000,000.
Aliyu (3rd defendant), a former Head of Operations, was discharged on counts 1 to 8 but convicted on counts 9 to 15 and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on each count.
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