The Ekiti State High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti has sentenced a former Bursar of Federal Polytechnic, Ado-Ekiti, Mr. Elijah Oladapo to jail terms over fraud matters.
The presiding Judge, Hon. Justice A. L. Ogunmoye found Oladapo, who was the 2nd defendant in the case guilty of the charges levelled against him in counts 4 – 9.
The Court also sentenced Oladapo to 5 years imprisonment for counts 4 – 7 with an option of fine of N1.2m while he was also sentenced to 2 years imprisonment on counts 8 – 9 without an option of fine.
The trail judge however discharged and acquitted the 1st defendant, Mrs. Theresa Taiwo Akande of counts 1 – 3.
Mrs. Azuka Ogugua, the Spokesperson of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), said the convict was first arraigned in court in 2021 alongside the former Rector of the same institution, Mrs. Akande.
Mrs. Ogugua said their arraignment followed accusation of allegedly receiving over N500,000 as kickbacks from a contractor handling construction projects in the school.
The Commission, in a 9-count charge filed before the court, said their actions contravened Sections 8(1) (a), 19 and 20 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
The accused persons had pleaded not guilty, when the charges were read to them, which set the tone for the long trial.
During the trial, the court heard how the convict had, in 2015, abused his office by demanding and receiving kickbacks from a contractor handling the construction and furnishing of lecture theatres and offices in the school.
The convict, Oladapo has since been sent to the correctional centre to serve his time.
