An Abuja High Court has sentenced a former secretary of the National Economic Intelligence Committee (NEIC), Emeka Ebilah, to five years imprisonment without an option of fine for allegedly defrauding the Federal Government of over N100 million.
Justice Ishaq Bello, who sentenced Mr Ebilah, however discharged and acquitted a former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor for alleged complicity in the N107 million contract fraud.
In a judgment that lasted over two hours, Justice Bello said the spirit behind Section 19 of the ICPC Act must be enforced to the letter in order to serve as a deterrent for corrupt officials.
Reacting to the judgment, lawyer to the former PDP chairman applauded the verdict of the court.
