Sterling Bank Staff and Ex Lawmaker from Nigeria Were Convicted of a N212M Fraud
Mansur Ali Mashi, a former member of the House of Representatives, was found guilty on Thursday on eight counts of conspiracy and acquiring money under false pretenses by Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, In a 12-year trial, Mashi, who represented the Mashi Dutsi federal constituency, was found guilty along with three Sterling Bank officials, Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu, and Muazu Abdu.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission brought charges against Mashi for defrauding Sterling Bank of a loan facility totaling N212,439,552 (Two Hundred and Twelve Million, Four Hundred and Thirty-nine Thousand, Five Hundred and Fifty-two Naira), which he then used for his own benefit.
The defendants had entered a plea of not-guilty to the accusations brought against them at their arraignment, and the matter moved forward to trial.
Due to the trial judges’ promotions or retirements, the case had multiple setbacks during the proceedings. However, in order to support its case against the defendants, the prosecution called six witnesses and provided a number of exhibits.
The case was then continued until June 15 and 16, 2023, for judgment, after the parties’ attorneys adopted their last written addresses at the most recent adjourned date.
On Thursday, June 15, when the case was called, the first defendant was not present. However, the court found him guilty on counts one through eight, and he was sentenced accordingly.
Despite the fourth defendant’s absence, the court found him guilty on all counts and sentenced him to prison.
However, the judge deferred sentencing until the two absent defendants’ arrest and appearance in court.
The second defendant, Abdulmumin Mustapha, a former branch manager for Sterling Bank, was found guilty on counts 1 through 15 and given a sentence of five years in jail, without the possibility of a fine.
The second defendant was further ordered by the court to pay N40,000,000 (forty million Naira) in restitution to Sterling Bank.
The third defendant, who was the previous Head of Operation for the bank, was exonerated on counts 1 through 8, but found guilty on counts 9 through 15, receiving a sentence of 5 years in jail without the possibility of a fine.
Mansur Ali Mashi, the first defendant, is also awaiting a ruling in a contempt of court case before the same court. The decision will be rendered on June 16, 2023.
In this instance, Mashi is accused of selling the properties that the Court had taken by way of an interim forfeiture order.
