Saleh Hussaini Gamawa and Aminu Umar Gadiya, two leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bauchi State, were found guilty by a Federal High Court in Bauchi and given sentences of two years in jail for offenses that involved money laundering and conspiracy worth N142, 460,000.
On March 2, Justice Hassan Dikko found the pair guilty of the two counts that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had filed against them (EFCC).
On a two-count indictment for allegedly collecting over N142m to sway the results of the 2015 presidential elections in Bauchi State, the defendants were initially arraigned on June 4, 2018, and then re-arraigned on October 16, 2018.
“That you, Saleh Hussaini Gamawa and Aminu Umar Gadiya, all members of the Finance and Funds Disbursement Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 2015 General Elections, and in such capacities sometime in March 2015 in Bauchi State within the jurisdiction of this Court did agree among yourselves to commit an offense, namely Conspiracy to accept cash payment exceeding the threshold provided by law, and thereby committed an offense,” reads count one of the charges.”
“That you, Sale Hussaini Gamawa and Aminu Umar Gadiya, all members of the Finance and Funds Disbursement Committee of the PDP 2015 General Elections, and in such capacities sometime in March 2015 in Bauchi State within the jurisdiction of this Court did accept cash payment of N142m from the Directorate of Finance, Bauchi State PDP Campaign Organization exceeding the required threshold of cash payment, thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 1, 1 of the PDP 2015 General Elections Constitution.”
Due to the defendant’s plea of not guilty to the allegations, the case was prepared to go to full trial. At the trial, the prosecution called one witness and offered Exhibits A1, A2, and A3 of papers. Each defendant gave testimony in support of their defense.
On January 17, 2023, following the conclusion of the evidence, the final written addresses were submitted, exchanged, and adopted, with the prosecution requesting that the defendants be found guilty on all charges.
On the other side, the defense argued that the prosecution’s case against the defendants lacked credibility and urged the court to release and acquit the prisoners. After then, Judge Dikko set the judgment date for March 2, 2023.
Justice Dikko carefully considered the evidence in the case and the arguments made by the attorneys before concluding that the prosecution had established its case against the defendants on count one beyond a reasonable doubt and that they should be found guilty as charged. The lengthy judgment took more than three hours to complete. On count two, he released and found the second defendant not guilty.
Judge Dikko recognized the defendants’ requests for mercy but maintained that they must be punished to serve as a warning to others before passing judgment.
“I take into account your requests that I will be merciful because your family will suffer without you; but, your offenses must be punished adequately to dissuade others in the community from committing the same.”
As a result, he gave the first and second defendants sentences of two years in the Bauchi Correctional Service or a fine of N3 million each instead of imprisonment on count one, while the first defendant received a second sentence of two years in prison or a fine of N3 million instead of imprisonment on count two.
However, from March 2, 2023, the sentences are to run consecutively.
Source: The GuidanceÂ
