A former member of the House of Representatives from Jigawa State, Mansur Ali Mashi, has been convicted on an eight counts charge of conspiracy and obtaining by pretence.
Mashi, who represented Mashi Dutsi federal constituency, was convicted alongside three bank officials: Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu and Muazu Abdu, in a trial that lasted 12 years.
The 2nd defendant, Abdulmumin Mustapha, was the former branch manager of Sterling Bank, while the 3rd defendant was the former Head of Operation of the bank.
They were convicted by Justice Sale Musa Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission prosecuted Mashi for fraudulently using fictitious companies to obtain a loan facility to the tune of N212,439,552.
According to EFCC, he obtained the loan from Sterling Bank, which he diverted to personal use.
When the defendants were first arraigned, they had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
However, the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove the case against the defendants.
During the trial, the matter suffered several setbacks due to the elevation or retirement of the trial judges.
At the last adjourned date, counsel to the parties adopted their final written addresses and the matter was subsequently adjourned till June 15 and 16, 2023, for judgment.
Meanwhile, when the matter was called on Thursday, the 1st defendant was absent from court.
The court pronounced him guilty on counts 1 to 8, and was convicted accordingly.
However, the two absent defendants were not sentenced; the court reserved their sentence until they were arrested and brought before the court.
