Air force officer slammed 21-year jail term for N41m fraud

A general court martial sitting at the Nigerian air force (NAF) base in Makurdi, Benue state capital, has sentenced Michael Oyebanji, a master warrant officer (MWO), to 21 years in prison for the misappropriation of N41 million.

Ibikunle Daramola, NAF spokesman, disclosed in a statement that Oyebanji, who was the vice-president of the 151 Base Services Group Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Makurdi, was convicted on 46 counts for conniving with three other persons to steal the money belonging to the cooperative.

“He was found guilty on all 46 counts and subsequently sentenced to serve 21 years imprisonment, cumulatively, as well as reduction in rank to Corporal and ordered to refund all monies misappropriated,” the statement read.

The three others are Sherifi Olawoore, a flight lieutenant; Ademola Adekoya, a flying officer, and Paul Atteh, a warrant officer.

Olawoore, who was tried for negligently performing his duty as the president of the cooperative, was awarded six months loss of seniority while Adekoya was tried for negligently performing his duty as secretary of the cooperative, and was awarded one year loss of seniority.

Atteh was tried for negligently performing his duty as the treasurer of the cooperative as well as for forging documents and criminal breach of trust.

He was found guilty of all three charges and was awarded reduction in rank from warrant officer to sergeant in the first instance, which was eventually reduced to the rank of corporal. He is also required to pay a fine of N1 million.

The statement said the personnel were sentenced based on their levels of involvement.

The judgment was delivered by Nazib Aliyu, president of the GCM.

“While pleading in mitigation, the Defence Counsel urged the Court to show leniency, describing the Accused Persons as first-time offenders. The sentences were announced as being subject to confirmation by the Appropriate Superior Authority. However, it is within the rights of the Accused Personnel to appeal the judgment of the GCM, if they are dissatisfied,” it read.