Facts
The Appellant was arraigned along with one Yahaya Ayodeji (2nd accused) before the trial court on a 10 count Amended Charge bordering on offences of criminal conspiracy and deriving benefit from contracts emanating from their place of employment, contrary to Sections 12 and 26 of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Act, 2000. The charge was preferred by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The Appellant was the Procurement Officer of a World Bank Project known as Economic Reform and Governance Project (ERGP) domiciled in the office of the Accountant General of the Federation. While occupying the office, contracts relating to the project were awarded to two companies, namely AY Quest Worldwide Ltd (where one Abdullahi Dogonyaro Mohammed, found to be the same person as the Appellant, as well as the 2nd Defendant had interests as directors and shareholders) and Q Bridgers Worldwide Synergy Ltd, W here the said Abdullahi Dogonyaro Mohammed was a shareholder and director.
At the conclusion of trial, the court found the Appellant and the co accused guilty of counts 1, 3, 4, 5 and 9 of the charge and sentenced them to 7 years imprisonment each; while on Counts 2, 6, 7, 8 and 10, the Appellant alone was convicted and sentenced to 7 years imprisonment. Both sentences to run concurrently. Dissatisfied with Judgement of the trial court, the Appellant appealed to the Court of Appeal. At the close of hearing, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal for lacking in merit and affirmed the conviction and sentence of the Appellant Displeased, the Appellant appealed to the Supreme
Court.
