A High Court in Yola, Adamawa State, has convicted and jailed former Governor Bala James Ngilari for failing to adhere to the procurement laws of the state.
In a 75-minute long ruling, Justice Nathan Musa found the former governor guilty of four charges, and discharged him on one, which bordered on conspiracy.
The judge discharged and acquitted the former secretary to the state government, and the commissioner of finance, who were second and third defendants in the case.
In handing down his sentence, the judge said the law stipulated that the convict shall not be given an option of fine.
He sentenced the former governor to five years in prison, and said the convict is serve his term in any prison of his choice.
Mr. Ngilari was charged on September 21, 2016.
Bala Ngilari, 65 years, was governor of Adamawa between October 2014 and May 2015. He holds a law degree from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He served as governor under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP. He served on the Human Rights Violation Investigation Committee led by Justice Oputa.
