Crime

Longest jail term Nigerian professor bags after years on trial

Published

9 years ago

October 4, 2017

The EFCC on Tuesday secured a 40-year jail term for a Nigerian professor that formerly headed the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training at the Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile Ife.

The judgement was handed down at the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo, by Justice Nathaniel Ayo-Emmanuel.

Prof. Benjamin Adefemi Ogunbodede alongside three others had been on trial since 2012, following a multimillion corruption allegation the EFCC investigated in the institute.

The commission eventually preferred against them a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, misappropriation and diversion of funds to the tune of N177 million.

Ogunbodede also claimed to have used the sum of N15 million to harvest crops, when he actually spent N800, 000 to harvest the crops.

The convicts had all pleaded not guilty to the charge when they were arraigned on June 16, 2014, thereby setting the stage for their trial.

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The prosecution presented 15 witnesses and tendered relevant documents, which were all admitted in evidence.

By 2016, 10 other accused persons in the matter pleaded out, and entered into a plea bargain arrangement with the EFCC.

While delivering his judgment, Justice Ayo- Emmanuel said the prosecution had proved its case beyond any reasonable doubt.

He convicted and sentenced the first and second accused persons to 40 years imprisonment without an option of fine.

The third accused was sentenced to four years imprisonment without an option of fine.

The sentences are to run concurrently.