Idris Yahaya, the state auditor-general, was convicted to five years in prison by a Yobe court for a N19,900,000 scam.
Yahaya was found guilty on a single count of theft by deception.
The auditor-general was arraigned on November 9, 2022, but he pled not guilty to the accusation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said in a statement released on Monday that the auditor-general received cash for the purchase of an official vehicle — a 2015 Toyota Corolla — but diverted a portion of the funds for his own use.
“That you, Yahaya Lawal Idris, being the Auditor General for Local Government, Yobe State, received the sum of N19,900,000.00 via your personal account number 1001480930 with account name Alhaji Yahaya Idris domiciled in United Bank for Africa Plc (UBA) from the Local Government Audit Account Number 5030030060 domiciled in Fidelity Bank Plc for the purchase of vehicles.”
In his ruling, the trial judge, Muhammad Lawan, concluded that the prosecution had properly proven its case, and the defendant was found guilty as charged.
Lawan ordered the convicted auditor-general to pay the Yobe state government N10,100,000 in restitution through the EFCC or serve an additional two years in prison.
