Magistrate Sentenced To 3 Years Imprisonment For Demanding Gratification

An FCT High Court, Maitama, on Thursday sentenced Magistrate
Mohammed Balogun, to three years imprisonment for demanding
gratification to influence judgment.
Justice Ishaq Bello who convicted Balogun, however, gave him
N500,000 option of fine.

The convict was charged to court by the Independent Corrupt
Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on a
two-count charge bordering on demanding gratification.

Bello while delivering the judgment, noted that the convict
pleaded for leniency, claiming to be first time offender.

He also said that the convict had suffered psychological
distress because his family deserted him since the matter
started.

“Considering the fact that he was entrusted with mantle of
authority as a chief magistrate to do justice to all manner of
people without fear or favour.

”What he did is outright abuse and disregard of his oath of
office and this is not a conduct expected of a judicial officer” he
held.

The judge held that he acknowledged the position of the
prosecution that the convict is a first time offender.

“Nevertheless, I hereby sentence the convict to a three-year
period of imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500, 000.”
The ICPC alleged that Balogun on Sept. 21, 2003, demanded from one
Dr Isidore Nnadi, N100, 000 in order to influence the judgment of
his two cases pending in his court in his favour.

The offence is contrary to Section 10 (1) and (2) of the Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The ICPC also
alleged that Balogun collected from Nnadi N50,000 to influence the
judgment in his favour.

An FCT High Court, Maitama, on Thursday sentenced Magistrate
Mohammed Balogun, to three years imprisonment for demanding
gratification to influence judgment.
Justice Ishaq Bello who convicted Balogun, however, gave him
N500,000 option of fine.

The convict was charged to court by the Independent Corrupt
Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), on a
two-count charge bordering on demanding gratification.

Bello while delivering the judgment, noted that the convict
pleaded for leniency, claiming to be first time offender.

He also said that the convict had suffered psychological
distress because his family deserted him since the matter
started.

“Considering the fact that he was entrusted with mantle of
authority as a chief magistrate to do justice to all manner of
people without fear or favour.

”What he did is outright abuse and disregard of his oath of
office and this is not a conduct expected of a judicial officer” he
held.

The judge held that he acknowledged the position of the
prosecution that the convict is a first time offender.

“Nevertheless, I hereby sentence the convict to a three-year
period of imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500, 000.”
The ICPC alleged that Balogun on Sept. 21, 2003, demanded from one
Dr Isidore Nnadi, N100, 000 in order to influence the judgment of
his two cases pending in his court in his favour.

The offence is contrary to Section 10 (1) and (2) of the Corrupt
Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000. The ICPC also
alleged that Balogun collected from Nnadi N50,000 to influence the
judgment in his favour.