Court Convicts, Sentences Convicted Ex-perm Sec To 12 Years Imprisonment

Mr. Clement Illo, The Convicted Perm Sec

Court Convicts, Sentences Convicted Ex-perm Sec To 12 Years Imprisonment

A Lagos Federal High Court, today, convicted and sentenced a former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour And Productivity Dr Clement Illoh to four years imprisonment on each of three counts charges bordering non-declaration of assets. 

The court presided over by Justice Babs Kuewunmi, convicted and sentenced Illoh after he changed his “not guilty” plea to “guilty”, four years after the prosecution closed its case.

Justice kuewumi also ordered the convict to forfeiture of the sum of N97, 300, 613.44 million; $139,575.50 USD and £10,121.52 respectively to the Federal Government of Nigeria being proceeds of unlawful activities.

“I have given due attention to the allocutus of the defendant. However, the court will not fail to perform its duty in accordance with the provisions of the law. 

“Consequently, the defendant is hereby sentenced to four years in each of the counts and same shall run concurrently from the 10th of October 2019,” Justice Kuewunmi held.

Illoh was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count charge.

In the first count, the court heard that the convict had on April 19, 2016, in Lagos failed to make full disclosure of assets to the tune of N97.3 million, an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 27 Subsection 3c of the EFCC Establishment Act of 2004.

In the second count, he was accused of failing to disclose the sum of $139, 575, while in the third count he failed to disclose assets of £10, 121.

At the his resumed trial of trial today, the convict made the U-turn on, after an intensive cross-examination from EFCC counsel, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo revealed that Illoh received funds to the tune of N65 million from SURE P project contractors to his personal First Bank Plc’s account no: 3033750243.

Midway to today’s proceedings, Convict’s counsel, Mr. T. S. Awana sought the court’s permission to confer with his client, following which he applied for the defendant to change his plea. 

Justice Kuewunmi granted the application and Illoh pleaded guilty to all four count charges. 

Consequently, Justice Kuewumi convicted and sentenced the to four years imprisonment on each of the counts running concurrently. 

Illo’s conviction and sentence was the second time in three years Illoh has been convicted of fraud.

He was formerly convicted and sentenced to five years for N14.1million fraud, on October 3, 2019, by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Ikeja Special Offences.