A Federal High Court, in Bauchi has convicted and sentenced top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Saleh Hussaini Gamawa and Aminu Umar Gadiya to three years imprisonment for offences that bordered on conspiracy and money laundering to the tune of N142m
Justice Hassan Dikko convicted the duo on March 2, ruling on the two-count charge brought against the defendants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The defendants were first arraigned on June 4, 2018, and re-arraigned on October 16, 2018, on a two-count charge for allegedly receiving over N142million to influence the outcome of the 2015 presidential election in Bauchi State.
Count one of the charges read: “That you, Saleh Hussaini Gamawa and Aminu Umar Gadiya, both 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 Honorable Court did agree amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit, conspiracy to accept cash payment exceeding the threshold provided by law, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) and punishable under Section 16(2) (b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2012( as amended) now No.1, 2012.”
Count two read: “That you, Sale Hussaini Gamawa and Aminu Umar Gadiya, both 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 Honourable Court did accept cash payment of N142m from the Directorate of Finance, Bauchi State PDP Campaign Organisation exceeding the required threshold of cash payment, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1, 16(1)(d) and punishable under Section 16(2)(b) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)Act, 2011 (as amended) now No.1, 2012.”
The defendants had pleaded not guilty to the charges, setting the stage for the case to proceed to full trial. During the trial, the prosecution presented one witness and tendered documents marked as Exhibits A1, A2 and A3. Both defendants testified in their respective defences.
At the close of evidence, the final written addresses were filed, exchanged and adopted on January 17, 2023, with the prosecution asking the court to convict the defendants as charged. On the other hand, the defence submitted that the evidence presented against the defendant by the trial was not credible and urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendants. Justice Dikko then reserved judgment for March 2, 2023.
In the well-considered judgment that lasted more than three hours, Justice Dikko reviewed the facts of the case and the submissions of counsel and concluded that the prosecution proved the cases against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt on count one and convicted them as charged.
He consequently sentenced the 1st and 2nd defendants to two years imprisonment at the Bauchi Correction Service or a fine of N3m each instead of imprisonment on count one, while the 1st defendant bagged a further two years imprisonment or a fine of N3m instead of imprisonment on count two.
The sentences were to run concurrently from March 2, 2023.
