Justice Sale Shuaibu of the Federal High Court, Kaduna, on Thursday, convicted a former member of the House of Representatives, Mansur Ali-Mashi, on eight counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretences in a N212m fraud case.

Ali-Mashi, who represented Mashi Dutsi Federal Constituency, was convicted alongside three former officials of Sterling Bank — Abdulmumini Mustapha, Shehu Aliyu and Muazu Abdu — in a trial that lasted 12 years.

“The former lawmaker was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for using fictitious companies to fraudulently obtain a loan facility to the tune of N212,439,552 from Sterling Bank, which he diverted for personal use,” the spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said in a statement on Friday.

Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them and the case proceeded to trial.

The matter, however, suffered several setbacks due to elevation or retirement of the trial judges.

But the prosecution called six witnesses and tendered several exhibits to prove the case against the defendants.

At the last adjourned date, counsel for the parties adopted their final written addresses and the matter was adjourned till June 15 and 16, 2023, for judgment.

Uwujaren added, “However, when the matter was called on Thursday, June 15, the first defendant was absent in court. But the court, in a well-considered judgment, pronounced him guilty on counts one to eight and he was convicted accordingly. The fourth defendant was also absent but the court found him guilty on all counts and convicted him.

“The court, however, reserved sentencing for the two absentee defendants until they are arrested and brought before the court.”

“The second defendant, Abdulmumin Mustapha, who is the former branch manager of Sterling Bank, was convicted on counts one to 15 and sentenced to five years imprisonment on each count without an option of fine. The court further ordered the second defendant to restitute Sterling Bank in the sum of N40m.

“The third defendant, who was the former head of operations of the bank, was discharged on counts one to eight but convicted on counts nine to 15 and sentenced to five years’ imprisonment on each count without option of fine.

“The first defendant, Mansur Ali-Mashi, is also awaiting judgment in a case of contempt of court before the same court. The judgment was slated for June 16, 2023.

“In this particular case, Mashi is alleged to have sold the properties that were confiscated from him by the court through an interim forfeiture order.”

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