Alleged N260m Fraud: Ex-Gusau Varsity VC Sentenced To 35 Years In Prison

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday secured the conviction of Professor Magaji Garba, a former Vice Chancellor of Federal University Gusau, who Justice Maryam Hassan Aliyu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Garki, Abuja, found guilty of a five count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.

Professor Garba was sentenced to a 35-year jail term.

The former VC was arraigned by the EFCC on October 12, 2021, for allegedly extorting various sums from a contractor on the pretext of awarding him a N3 billion contract for the perimeter wall fencing of the University.

The offence is contrary to section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

He had pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, thereby setting the stage for his full trial. After calling witnesses and tendering so many documents, which were admitted in evidence, the EFCC closed its case on December 14, 2021.

Delivering judgment today, the trial judge said the court was satisfied that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.

Prof Garba was pronounced “guilty” on the five counts, and sentenced to seven years each on counts 1 to 3 without option of fine and seven years imprisonment on counts 4 and 5, with option of N10 million fine each.