EFCC convicts Gombe revenue boss, three others for N25m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ((EFCC)) Gombe Zonal Office convicted Director, Gombe State Board of Internal Revenue, Atiku Mu’azu Bayum and three others for conspiracy and theft before Justice Beatrice Iliya of the Gombe State High Court.

Bayum was convicted along with Mohammed Adi (Chief Store Officer), Ibrahim Abubakar (Chief Accountant) and Abubakar Usman on a two-count charge bordering on conspiracy and stealing of N25 million belonging to the state government.

They pleaded guilty to the charges, while prosecuting counsel, O. Israel, urged the court to convict them accordingly.

However, defence counsel, L. A. Haruna, pleaded on behalf of his clients to temper justice with mercy, as they were first-time offenders and didn’t waste the time of court in pleading guilty and that they had made some restitution and promised to return the entire amount.

Justice Biatrice, thereafter, pronounced them guilty and convicted them to pay fine of N100, 000 each, following Haruna’s intervention.