Former civil servant deposits N1 million with court for future convictions
29 Jan 2013
Photo: Saharareporters.com
Abuja – After Mr Yakubu Yusuf, former head of the Police Pension Board, was handed an extremely harsh penalty by an Abuja High Court, another former civil servant has deposited money with the same court in anticipation of any possible future convictions.
Mr Yusuf, who was found guilty of stealing $203 millon, was sentenced to two years in prison or the option of paying a hefty fine of N250,000.
It is believed that Yusuf received such a stiff penalty because the judge had a grudge against him. This is not unusual in Nigeria where the justice system is often used to punish one’s enemies.
The unnamed former civil servant who deposited money with the court denied that the payment amounted to an attempt to bribe the criminal justice system. According to his lawyer, the man, being a successful former civil servant, probably has enemies who may wish to spoil his name through the EFCC.
The lawyer explained that his client had taken the proactive step of depositing the money with the high court in good faith, and the gesture should not be seen as confession of any crimes he might have committed during his time in service.
- Talakwa