The Federal High Court in Sokoto has convicted Lukumanu Sani Waziri, an accountant at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH), for diverting more than ₦60 million through the Government Integrated Financial Information System (GIFMIS).
Waziri, who faced a nine-count charge of corruption and abuse of office, was found guilty on seven counts. Justice M. Abdulgafar sentenced him to seven years in prison or fines ranging from ₦200,000 to ₦500,000 for specific charges, with the sentences to run concurrently.
Dr Osuobeni Akponimisingha of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) presented evidence showing how Waziri manipulated financial records on the GIFMIS during the trial. The evidence revealed that he facilitated the illegal transfer of funds into private accounts, including his own.
The funds diverted included state taxes intended for Kogi, Edo, Bauchi, and Zamfara States. They were fraudulently redirected to the account of Monday Michael Adejo.
In one instance, Waziri transferred over ₦20 million into Adejo’s account in 2020. The ICPC labelled this as a blatant abuse of office, with the funds being part of the proceeds from corruption and fraud.
“This conviction underscores ICPC’s commitment to ensuring accountability and justice in the management of public funds,” said Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education at the ICPC.
The Commission further urged public institutions to strengthen their internal financial controls to prevent similar occurrences.
