The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Friday, January 26, 2018 dismissed the appeal by Gabriel Daudu, former member of the Kogi State House of Assembly and former caretaker chairman, Ogori/Magongo Local Government Area of the State over his conviction on 77 count charge of money laundering
Daudu, who was first arraigned in April 2010, was prosecuted by the EFCC on a 208-count charge bordering on money laundering and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N1.4billion.
Counsel to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu, fielded 13 witnesses and tendered 47 exhibits to prove the charges against Daudu.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, who presided over the case at the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, found him guilty of 77 counts and sentenced him to 2years imprisonment on each count, to run concurrently.
Dissatisfied by his conviction, the former council boss through his counsel, J. B. Daudu, SAN, approached the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal praying the court to reverse the judgment.
However, in a unanimous decision on Wednesday, March 1, 2017 the appellate court upheld the ruling of the lower court and dismissed the appeal for “lacking in merit.”
Still not satisfied, Daudu proceeded to the Supreme Court, praying the apex court to grant him a post conviction bail pending the determination of the appeal before it.
The apex court on Thursday, July 6, 2017 granted the convicted council boss bail in the sum of N2million with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must have landed property and must be resident in the FCT.
However, in considering the main appeal, a panel of five Justices of the Supreme Court in a unanimous judgment today resolved all the issues against the appellant (Daudu) and accordingly dismissed the appeal in its entirety.
Justice Kumai Bayang Akaahs who delivered the lead judgment described the appeal as “unmeritorious”.
With the Supreme Court judgment dismissing the appeal by Gabriel Daudu, the convicted council boss, has to return to prison to complete his sentence.
