Justice Lima also sentenced Patrick Eboigbodin, an aide to the former governor Lucky Igbinedion to 20 years imprisonment, in addition to a fine of N250,000 on a 10-count charge.
Michael Igbinedion, a younger brother to former governor Lucky Igbinedion, was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each of the three count charges. He was however given an option N3 million fine.
All the jail terms of the convicts are to run concurrently.
PML Securities Limited, one of the companies allegedly used by the convicts to launder the funds, was ordered to fold up and forfeit all its assets to the federal government.
The 81-count charges case was instituted against the convicts, Michael Igbinedion, Patrick Eboigbodin, Gava Corporation, Romring Nigeria Limited, PML Securities and PML Nigeria Limited by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), an offence said to have been committed between 1999 and 2007 when Lucky Igbinedion was governor of the state.
Michael Igbinedion was convicted on counts 79, 80 and 81 which bothered on collecting cash payment above N500,000, while Patrick Eboigbodin and PML (Nigeria) Limited were found guilty on counts 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58 and 58 which bothered on collaboration to conceal origin of funds amounting to millions of naira paid into their private accounts.
Justice Lima however discharged all the accused on other count charges on ground of failure to prove allegations beyond reasonable doubt by the prosecution. He said the prosecution only proved suspicion and failed to prove illicit origin of funds deposited in some banks.
6years too small ...120 is better
ReplyDeleteE don set 4 maguy! I know say dem go soon free am. Hmmm! "Uwaifo don talk e own o".
ReplyDeleteI said it before...our weak judicial system is design to favor d rich n highest bidders ...
ReplyDeleteIs ds one not liable to 266yrs imprisonment? Nigeria
ReplyDeleteJust 6years hmmm if na poor man story go change
ReplyDelete266 yrs haba mezzy....#smh
ReplyDeleteYes na...a lady in gun state was given that sentence last year for stealing his employers money not upto #100,000,000
DeleteImagine just six years....
ReplyDeleteBuh that poor restaurant woman for osun state was sentence to 200+ years bkus she stole 8 million
While it seem encouraging, the option of fine has made the sentencing looked a sham. Our judicial system still has a long way to go as it concerns the rich in our society.
ReplyDeleteWhat this judgement portrays is that, this gentleman won't be going to prison in real sense, so what is the need sentencing him in the first place!
He stole N25b. Out of that amount he can return N3m and keep N24.997b. This sounds unreal and it can only happen in an insane environment like ours. Our judiciary obviously is an international mockery. Now tell me how can corruption stop if all it takes is for you to share the loot with the judge? I'm pretty certain Ibori is regretting running away.
ReplyDelete