A High Court in Katsina has delivered a significant judgment, sentencing Mr. Rabiu Musa Matazu, the Director of Administration at the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), to six years in prison. This conviction stems from his involvement in diverting public funds for personal use, a case brought forward by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC).

Mr. Matazu was arraigned on a four-count charge, encompassing criminal breach of trust and abuse of office. According to details provided by Demola Bakare, the spokesperson for the ICPC, the investigation revealed that in October 2014, Matazu collected the sum of ₦305,000. This money represented rent proceeds from government properties located in Katsina, which he received through a subordinate, Lawal Dan Sarki. Crucially, Matazu failed to remit these funds into the official account of the SRRBDA, instead misappropriating them for his own benefit. This act was found to be in direct violation of Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The legal proceedings in Suit No. KTH/7C/2022, presided over by Justice Abbas Bawule of the Katsina State High Court, spanned a period of three years. Despite Matazu pleading not guilty to all charges when they were initially read to him, the prosecution, led by Ibrahim Garba, presented a compelling case. Ultimately, Justice Bawule found Rabiu Musa Matazu guilty on all four counts leveled against him by the ICPC.

Following the conviction, the court pronounced the sentences. For counts 1, 2, and 3, Matazu was sentenced to six months imprisonment or given the option of a ₦20,000 fine for each. However, for the fourth count, he received a more stringent punishment of five years imprisonment, with no option of a fine. The court further ordered that all these sentences are to run concurrently. This means that Matazu will serve a total of five years in prison.

Demola Bakare emphasized that this conviction reflects the ICPC’s unwavering resolve to ensure accountability among public officers. The commission remains committed to preventing the abuse of government positions for personal gain and to upholding the law against corruption, sending a clear message that such offenses will be met with appropriate legal consequences.