Muhammad Ambursa, a former Registrar of Federal College of Veterinary Medical Laboratory Technology In Vom, Plateau State, has been arraigned before a high court for receiving multiple salaries for 11 years.
WikkiTimes gathered that Ambursa received double salaries for the said years while working for the federal government.
In May 2007, the defendant, within the jurisdiction of the court, had provided, false information on his status of employment to the then management of the National Veterinary Research Institute, (NVRI).
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Ambursa failed to reveal material facts and took another pensionable appointment at the NVRI where he worked for 11 years, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), stated.
The ICPC added that the former registrar took the job after a compulsory retirement at the National Judicial Institute on the grounds of indiscipline.
He had also associated his service of employment from the National Judiciary Institute to the Kebbi state judiciary service commission in 2003.
Justice Christine Dabup, the presiding judge, on August 4, 2022, while declaring both actions criminal, ruled that all salaries amassed by Ambursa for these past years be refunded to the Nigerian government.
The judge held that the total amount the convict earned as salaries and allowances during his period of employment was unlawful and criminal.
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Furthermore, Dabup ruled that the National Veterinary Research Institute/Federal College of Animal Health Tech Vom should calculate the total amount of salaries amassed illegally by the former registrar.
The charges reads: “This honourable court has found the defendant guilty on the two counts of knowingly making a false statement to the management of National Veterinary Research Institute (NVRI) in which he falsely stated a linkage of service of his employment from the National Judiciary Institute to the Kebbi Judiciary commission in 2003.
“Therefore, the defendant has committed an offence contrary to section 25(1)(a)of the Corrupt Practices and Other offences Act, 2000 and punishable under 25 (1)(b) of the same act.
“He knew to be false the information he gave to the institution, and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section138 of the penal code law (cap.89 laws of Northern Nigeria 1963).”
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“In respect of count one, in which he made a false statement by submitting his CV in which he stated a linkage of service even when the statement is false.
“Consequently, the defendant is hereby found guilty and is to pay a fine of N100,000 or serve six months in a correctional centre in default.”
Moreover, counsel to the defence, Eise Hassan, confirmed to the court that his client would pay the fines. He added that he would apply for the records of proceedings in order to determine the next line of action.
