June 16, (THEWILL) – A Federal High Court in Kaduna, presided over by Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu, has convicted a former member of the House of Representatives, Mansur Ali Mashi, on eight counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretences.
Mashi, who represented Mashi Dutsi Federal Constituency, was convicted alongside three bank officials including Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu and Muazu Abdu, who are 2nd to 4th defendants, respectively.
He was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for using fictitious companies to fraudulently obtain a loan facility to the tune of N212,439,552 (Two Hundred and Twelve Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty-two Naira) from Sterling Bank.
Mashi, who is the first defendant in the case, was convicted along with the 4th defendant on Thursday, in absentia.
The court, however, reserved sentencing for the two absentee defendants until they are arrested and brought before the court.
The 2nd defendant, Abdulmumin Mustapha, who is the former branch manager of Sterling Bank, was convicted on counts 1 to 15 and sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count without the option of a fine. The court further ordered the 2nd defendant to restitute Sterling Bank in the sum of N40,000,000 (Forty Million Naira).
The 3rd defendant, who was the former Head of Operation of the bank, was discharged on counts 1-8 but convicted on counts 9 to 15 and sentenced to 5 years imprisonment on each count without the option of a fine.
The 1st defendant, Mansur Ali Mashi, is also awaiting judgment in a case of contempt of court before the same court. The judgment is slated for today, June 16, 2023.
Mashi is alleged to have sold the properties that were confiscated from him by the court through an interim forfeiture order.
