Ex-Nigerian Minister Jailed For Money Laundering

A Federal High Court in Jos earlier today sentenced a former Nigerian Minister of Water Resources, Sarah Ochekpe, and two others to jail.
They were each handed a three-month sentence over a N450 million fraud.

Sarah Ochekpe, Raymond Dabo and Leo Jitung have been standing trial for the past four years on charges bordering on conspiracy and money laundering.

Justice Musa Kurna who passed judgment on the case also gave them an option of N1,000,000 fine.

While sentencing the convicts, the judge held that after withdrawing the said amount from the bank, they did not withhold the money to themselves but delivered the same to a governorship candidate, as such were not guilty of retaining the sum for themselves.

Kurna however said they were guilty of withdrawing the N450 million which he said was above the threshold of an individual withdrawal.

He said, the offence, which contravened the provisions of Section 16(1) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2013 as amended, is an offence that carries a minimum of three years imprisonment or a N10 million fine.

The judge, however, in his discretion sentenced them to three months imprisonment each or an option N1 million naira each.