As reported here in GidiCity yesterday, one of the eight civil servants accused of complicity in the illegal diversion of over N40 billion from the Police Pension Funds, Mr. John Yakubu Yusuf, was sentenced to just two years imprisonment.
But it gets even better.
An Abuja High Court handed down the sentence on a three-count charge preferred against Yusuf by the EFCC, after he pleaded guilty, with the option of a fine of N250,000 for each count.
Of course he paid up the N750,000 fine and walked out the court. . .
A free man!
He'd confessed to conniving with the others in the diversion, claiming he only stole about N23 billion. Yusuf is facing trial alongside a Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mr. Atiku Abubakar Kigo.
The defence argued that he's remorseful, has already forfeited 32 of his choice properties to the federal government, was a first-time offender with no previous record of convictions, co-operated with the courts, pleading guilty thereby preventing an ardous run-around and saving public funds from being expended in an ardous trial, had defendants who depend on him for sustenance and school fees and scholarships, and get this. . .
. . . That he's suffering from a chronic heart condition that has aggravated to high blood pressure.
Counsel to the convict, Mr Maiyaki Theodore Bala, said, "It is our prayer that justice is tampered with mercy by sentencing him with the least possible terms or even exercise of discretion under section 309 of the Penal Code Act to fine him. This will encourage the others to take courage to admit guilt where one exists."
Guess what?: The court did just that! They sentenced him to two years on each charge, with the option of a fine.
That's the part that's made Nigerians the world over very, very mad. How does the option of a fine serve as punishment for a crime which has caused the deaths of many pensioners, as they wait in vain for their pension?
How is this the answer to President Goodluck Jonathan's fight against corruption?
Will the N325 million found in Yusuf's account plus the cost of the 32 properties add up to the total of N23 billion, which was his portion of the theft?
Who's doing the maths?
This man stole billions, and people died as a result, and all he gets is a N750,000 fine with not even a slap on the wrist.
This sends a clear message to would-be theives that whenever you want to steal, make sure you steal BIG, 'cos if you get caught, all you have to do is plead guilty, return some of the loot, pay a paltry fine, and you're good to go. . . IF you get caught.
If you steal small, you could get lynched, or worse. . . get locked up and spend the remainder of your life awaiting trail.
It's a sad, sad country we live in.
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