A former Director of Finance and Administration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Garuba Mohammed Duku, has been sentenced to 24 years imprisonment for money laundering.
The Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the verdict on Friday, October 3, 2025, after finding Duku guilty of six-count charges filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
Justice James Omotosho, who presided over the case, ruled that Duku was guilty on all counts after a thorough review of the evidence presented by ICPC, including documents and witness testimonies.
“The prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt,” the judge stated while delivering judgment.
Duku was convicted for unlawfully taking N318 million from public funds during his time as Director of Finance and Administration under the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) — a key agency within the FCTA responsible for managing urban infrastructure and services in the capital city.
Each of the six charges carried a four-year jail term, but Justice Omotosho ruled that the sentences would run concurrently, meaning Duku will serve a total of four years in prison.
However, the judge also gave the convict an option of fine — a sum of ₦1.6 billion, to be paid to the Federal Government in place of serving the prison sentence.
“In view of his being a first-time offender and following his plea for leniency, the convict may pay a fine of N1.6 billion instead of serving time,” the court ruled.
The conviction was made under Section 18(2) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, which punishes illegal handling of public funds.
Justice Omotosho also ordered that if the fine is not paid, Duku will begin serving his sentence at Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja from October 3, 2025.
This case adds to the growing list of convictions secured by ICPC as part of its ongoing crackdown on corruption in the public sector. The agency has repeatedly emphasised the need for public officials to be held accountable for misuse of government funds.
The judgment has been welcomed by anti-corruption advocates, who say it sends a strong message to public servants involved in financial misconduct.
Duku’s conviction follows a string of recent anti-graft prosecutions targeting former officials across various federal and state institutions, as Nigeria continues to tackle systemic corruption.
While Duku has the right to appeal the decision, neither his legal team nor the ICPC has issued a formal statement as of press time.
