The Court of Appeal in Abuja has refused an application for bail pending appeal filed by Garba Mohammed Dukku, a former Director of Finance and Administration with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), who is serving a 24-year prison sentence for diverting about N319million in public funds.
Dukku had asked the appellate court to grant him bail while challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which convicted him on corruption and money laundering charges.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeal held that Dukku failed to establish exceptional circumstances that would justify granting bail pending the determination of his appeal. The court, however, ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive appeal to ensure its speedy resolution.
Dukku was convicted by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, in charge number FHC/ABJ/CR/608/2022 on six counts bordering on corruption and money laundering.
According to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), evidence presented during the trial showed that between 2012 and 2013, Dukku diverted N318.25million belonging to the AMMC into his personal Fidelity Bank account in multiple transactions.
The prosecution said the money was transferred in tranches of N56.25million, N71million, N53million, N54million, N46million and N36.3million before being moved to Bureau de Change operators for unauthorised purposes.
During the trial, Dukku claimed he handed the funds over to his superiors. However, Justice Omotosho rejected the defence, ruling that there was no credible evidence to support the claim and that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court sentenced him to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, bringing the cumulative jail term to 24 years. It also imposed an option of fine amounting to about N1.6billion, equivalent to five times the sums involved in each count.
Reacting to the appellate court’s decision, the ICPC said the refusal of bail reaffirmed the legal principle that bail pending appeal would only be granted where exceptional and compelling circumstances are established.
The anti-corruption agency added that it remained committed to prosecuting corruption cases and safeguarding public funds from abuse and misappropriation.
