The Court of Appeal in Abuja has rejected a bail application filed by Garba Dukku, the former Director of Finance and Administration at the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), who is serving a 24-year jail term for diverting ₦319 million in public funds.
Dukku had sought bail while awaiting the outcome of his appeal against the judgment of the Federal High Court. But the appellate court ruled that he failed to demonstrate “exceptional circumstances” that could justify bail. Instead, the court ordered an accelerated hearing of the substantive appeal.
Dukku was convicted last year by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on six counts of corruption and money laundering. The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), which prosecuted the case, proved that between 2012 and 2013, he diverted ₦318.25 million into his personal Fidelity Bank account in several tranches — ₦56.25 million, ₦71 million, ₦53 million, ₦54 million, ₦46 million and ₦36.3 million — before moving the funds to Bureau de Change operators.
Although Dukku claimed the money was handed to his superiors, the court dismissed the defence, ruling that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. He was sentenced to four years on each count, totalling 24 years, with an option of fines amounting to about ₦1.6 billion.
Reacting to the appeal court’s decision, ICPC spokesman John Odeh said the ruling reaffirmed that bail pending appeal can only be granted under “exceptional and compelling circumstances.” The commission pledged to continue its fight against corruption and safeguard public resources.