Ahmed Sani Yerima, a former governor of Zamfara State is set to be tried for allegedly mismanaging N1 billion loan meant for the repair of Gusau Dam in 2006.
19 charges have filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Sani, who left office 9 years ago, will be tried along with three others — Alhaji Hashim A. Dikko, Development Management Limited and HAD Nigeria Limited.
About N425, 491,736.75 of the N1billion was allegedly diverted to purposes which includes- assistance to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), furniture allowance, consultancy fee, Ramadan feeding, Hajj and purchase of cars.
Out of the N1 billion loan, The Nation reports that only about N574, 508,263.25 was used for flood disaster related matters.
A source in the ICPC was quoted to have said: “We are set for the trial of ex-Governor Ahmed Rufai Sani, who is now a Senator. We have served him a letter to inform him of his formal arraignment on Thursday.
“This case has taken this long because we were painstaking in conducting our investigation. We hope he will make himself available for trial in line with the ICPC Act.’
“We are charging him with offences contrary to and punishable under sections 19, 22 (1 and 5) and 26 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.”
Section 19 says: “Any public officer, who uses his office or position to gratify or confer any corrupt or unfair advantage upon himself or any relation or associate of the public officer or any other public officer shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction be liable to imprisonment for five years without option of fine.”
Sani will be tried under the common law and if convicted, he’s liable to a five years imprisonment without an option of fine.
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