The Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Umar Hussaini, Comptroller General, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Dikko's private lawyer to seven years imprisonment with an option of fine.

Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu delivered the judgment on Wednesday, 29th March 2023 after the court found Hussaini guilty of the two-count charge filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offenses Commission (ICPC). 

The charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/74/2020 and documented by the ICPC representing the Federal Government, prosecuted Hussaini, with a charge of laundering the NCS funds to the tune of N1.1 billion. 

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Meanwhile, Justice Ojukwu convicted Hussaini, and two witnesses, one of whom was a legal practitioner, Mr. Amobi Nzelu, attested to the good character of Hussaini while praying to the court for leniency.

However, the court was pleaded with to give the sentencing with an option of a fine in favour of the convict who is the family breadwinner with four wives, children, and aging parents. Also noted was that the convict had never cheated on anyone or committed any crime before.

Naziru Umar, the convict’s lawyer, broke into tears and prayed that the sentencing should be with an option of fine by the provisions of Section 6(c)(1)(2) of the FHC Corruption and Other Related Offences Sentencing Guidelines and Practice Direction, 2015.

Thereupon, ICPC Lawyer, Olubunmi Ikupolati, drew the attention of the court to Section 11 of the AFF Act, 2006, and exhorted the court that the defendant refunds the stolen money. 

But Umar implored the court to discountenance Ikupolati’s application as such will amount to double jeopardy as his client is facing a civil matter before the FCT High Court.

Again, Ikupolati urged the court to uphold his argument noting that the issue of double jeopardy did not arise here since there was no existing judgment on the matter.

Justice Ojukwu delivered his judgment, and handed down a seven-year jail term on each count of the charge with an option of a fine of N50 million each on each of the two counts, with a concurrent running of the sentence.

Added in her order that Hussaini should pay the sum of N100 million as compensation to the victims of the crime, Mr. Yemi Obadeyi, and the company, Cambial Limited, while the convict be remanded in prison till the fulfillment of the terms of the fine.