Former head of Nigerian ports authority jailed

The six men faced a total of 68 charges involving various offences involving awarding of contracts and including abuse of office. A judge of the Ikeja High Court, Justice Joseph Oyewole found them guilty and sentenced them to prison terms of two years each on seven counts and six months each on another 28 counts. They were found not guilty on another 21 charges.

The sentences will run concurrently resulting in each man having to spend two and half years in prison. They six have indicated their intention of appealing at Nigeria’s Court of Appeal.

In his judgement Justice Oyewole said, “When public office is abused, the entire system is assaulted. This must not be condoned or treated with kid gloves if the quality of services in our public life is to attain an appreciable standard of civilised world. For the right deterrent to be served therefore, sufficient firmness must be demonstrated.” – source Ports & Shipping