Financial fraud: NAF personnel bags 21-year jail term, 3 others demoted
A General Court Martial (GCM ) sitting at the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Base Makurdi has sentenced Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Michael Oyebanji to 21 years imprisonment after being found guilty of criminal misappropriation of over N41 million belonging to 151 Base Services Group (151 BSG) Multipurpose Cooperative Society.
The GCM also awarded various sentences to other three officials of the Cooperative Society, Flight Lieutenant (Flt Lt) Sherifi Olawoore, Flying Officer (Fg Offr) Ademola Adekoya, and Warrant Officer (WO) Paul Atteh, based on their levels of involvement.
Delivering his judgement, the President of the GCM, Air Commodore Nazib Aliyu, pronounced the four accused personnel guilty of various charges.
MWO Oyebanji who was the Vice President of the Cooperative Society was tried on a 46 count charge, including; Criminal Breach of Trust, Theft, Criminal Conspiracy, Criminal Misappropriation, Making of False Documents and Conduct to the Prejudice of Service Discipline, contrary to Sections 114 and 103 (d) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and Sections 312, 287, 96 and 309 of the Penal Code Cap P3 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The GCM found MWO Oyebanji guilty on all 46 counts and subsequently sentenced him to 21 years imprisonment, cumulatively, as well as reduction in rank to Corporal and ordered him to refund all monies misappropriated.
The GCM tried Flt. Lt. Olawoore for negligently performing his duty as the President of the Cooperative Society, found guilty and awarded him six months loss of seniority.
Also, the court tried Fg. Offr. Adekoya for negligently performing his duty as Secretary of the Cooperative. It found him guilty and awarded him one year loss of seniority.
In the same vein, WO Paul Atteh was tried for negligently performing his duty as the Treasurer of the Cooperative as well as for the Making of False Documents and Criminal Breach of Trust, the GCM found him guilty of all three charges. He was awarded reduction in rank from WO to Sergeant, in the first instance, and then eventually reduced to the rank of Corporal. He is also required to pay a fine of N1,000,000.00. The GCM also ordered his release from detention.
While pleading in mitigation, the Defence Counsel urged the Court to show leniency, describing the Accused Persons as first-time offenders.
NAF spokesperson, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, said in a statement that the sentences announced by the GCM were subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority.
“It is within the rights of the Accused Personnel to appeal the judgment of the GCM, if they are dissatisfied,” he said.
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