A former Director of Finance and Administration with the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), Garuba Mohammed Duku, has been sentenced to 24 years imprisonment for money laundering.

The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, handed down the judgment on Friday after finding Duku guilty of a six-count charge filed against him by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

Naijaonpoint reports that the court, after reviewing evidence, exhibits and witness testimonies presented by ICPC, held that Duku unlawfully took possession of ₦318 million belonging to his employer, the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), where he had served as Director of Finance and Administration.

Justice Omotosho dismissed Duku’s defence, holding that the prosecution had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

He was convicted under Section 18 (2) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act.

In his judgment, Justice Omotosho sentenced Duku to four years’ imprisonment on each of the six counts, amounting to 24 years in total.

However, following a plea for leniency by the convict, and considering that he was a first-time offender, the judge ordered that the sentences should run concurrently.

This means that Duku will serve only four years in prison, starting from October 3, 2025.

The convict, however, may not spend time behind bars, as the judge granted him the option of paying a ₦1.6 billion fine to the Federal Government in place of serving his jail term.

Justice Omotosho further ordered that if he opts for the custodial sentence, Duku should serve it at the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja.

Naijaonpoint reports that the case, brought by the ICPC, is part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to curb corruption in public service. Officials say it underscores the judiciary’s readiness to hold senior government officers accountable for financial crimes.