Judge jails ex-Lagos LG boss two years without option of fine
By Kazeem Ibrahym, Published: Thursday, 1 Apr 2010



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An Ikeja High Court on Wednesday sentenced a former Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government Council, Luqman Ajose, to two years imprisonment without an option for fine for defrauding the council with N1.03m.



The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission had arraigned the convict on a six-count charge of using his office to confer corrupt advantage during his tenure as the chairman.



According to the anti-graft agency, the offence is contrary to Section 19 of the ICPC Act of 2000.



When the charge was read to the convict, he pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the offence.



Delivering his judgment, Justice Joseph Oyewole held that the convict was guilty on counts one, two, five and six but acquitted him on counts three and four.



The judge said, “I have considered the allocutus (plea for leniency) of the learned defence counsel as well as the entire circumstances of this case.



“Corruption has been broadly identified as major impediments to the growth of our nation and as given to monstrous proportions in that wise, every proven incidence thereof must not be treated with kid gloves if the monster is to be tamed.



“In the circumstances therefore, the defendant is hereby sentenced to two years imprisonment without the option of fine on each of counts one, two, five and six.”



The anti-graft agency had accused the former chairman of collecting N183,500 belonging to the council for purportedly attending a three-day seminar organised by Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry between June 27 and 29, 2000 which he never attended.



The agency also accused Ajose of using his position as chairman of the council to confer corrupt advantage upon himself by collecting N141,400 belonging to the council for purportedly attending a workshop on Local Government Policy Administration and Implementation Strategies, in June 2000 which he never attended



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