The Supreme court of Nigeria has affirmed the conviction and five-year prison sentence of three officials of the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) over the diversion of N68 million belonging to the union.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on April 17, the apex court dismissed an appeal filed by one of the convicts, bringing to a close a legal battle that lasted over a decade.
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, which prosecuted the case, described the ruling as a major boost in the fight against corruption.
The convicted officials — Yusuf Temilade, Adeyemi Alaba Samuel and Amuludun Tosin — were members of NASU’s executive at Tai Solarin College of Education, Omu-Ijebu, Ogun State, where they served as chairman, secretary and acting treasurer respectively.
They were entrusted with managing union funds, including a loan facility of about N68 million obtained in 2011 for disbursement to over 100 staff members.
However, investigations revealed that the trio abused their positions by diverting funds for personal use, making unauthorised withdrawals, and approving payments to individuals who were not staff of the institution.
Following a petition, the ICPC arraigned them before the Ogun State High Court on a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy and abuse of office, contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.
In its 2017 judgment, the trial court found them guilty on multiple counts and sentenced them to five years imprisonment, with terms running concurrently. The Court of Appeal later upheld the ruling in 2019.
Dissatisfied, one of the convicts approached the Supreme Court, which, after hearing arguments earlier this year, affirmed the decisions of the lower courts and dismissed the appeal in its entirety.
The apex court also clarified that individuals cannot evade accountability by operating under unions or cooperative societies, warning that such a defence would encourage corruption.
Reacting, the ICPC reiterated its commitment to accountability and transparency, commending its legal team for securing the conviction after years of litigation.