The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, has secured the conviction of Rabiu Musa Matazu, Director of Administration at the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, SRRBDA, for corruptly converting public funds to personal use.

ICPC arraigned Matazu in Suit No. KTH/7C/2022 before Justice Abbas Bawule of the Katsina State High Court on a four-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and abuse of office.

During the trial, ICPC prosecutor Ibrahim Garba informed the court that the convict had received the sum of three hundred and five thousand naira (N305,000) from his subordinate, Lawal Dan Sarki, being rent proceeds from properties belonging to SRRBDA in Katsina State.

Rather than remitting the money into the agency’s account, Mr Matazu misappropriated it for his benefit.

One of the charges against him read: “That you, Rabiu Musa Matazu, sometimes in October 2014 or thereabout within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, used your position as Director of Administration, Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority, to confer unfair advantage upon yourself by receiving the total sum of N305,000 proceeds from rent collected on behalf of your agency, which you converted to your personal use and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.”

Matazu pleaded not guilty to all the counts when they were read to him, and the case proceeded to a full trial that lasted three years.

While delivering judgment on the case, Justice Bawule found Matazu guilty of all counts levelled against him by ICPC and pronounced him convicted accordingly.

The court consequently sentenced him to six months’ imprisonment or an option of a N20,000 fine on counts 1, 2, and 3, and five years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine on the fourth count. The sentences are to run concurrently.

The conviction underscores ICPC’s resolve to ensure that public office is not used for personal gain and that offenders are held accountable under the law.