Kogi Ex-Commissioner Jailed 19 Years For Embezzling Farmers’ Grants

By Ayodele Oluwafemi

A High Court Sitting in Okene, Kogi State, on Friday, sentenced a former Commissioner of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Zacheaus Atte, to 19 years imprisonment for allegations of embezzlement.

Atte was convicted for having embezzled N19 million meant for farmers in Kogi State.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had filed a case before the high court against the former commissioner on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, diversion of funds and other sundry issues.

Atte was sentenced to a total jail term of 19 years, with 5 years of imprisonment each on counts 1 and 3 without an option of fine for collecting the sum of N11,937,000 and N8,873,766.85, respectively, being monies meant for “the raising and distribution of Oil Palm Sprouted Nuts Seedlings” to cocoa farmers in Kogi State which he failed to raise nor distribute to the affected farmers.

The offence is contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000 (ICPC Act).

He was also sentenced on count two to five years imprisonment without an option of fine “for receiving the sum of N350,000, being amount earmarked to defray the transportation costs of the farmers during the cocoa seedlings distribution exercise” but failed to do so. This is also an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 19 of the ICPC Act.

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