Court Convicts Gombe SEMA Boss, One Other For Stealing IDP Building Materials

For allegedly stealing building materials meant for Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, a Gombe State High Court has convicted the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, GOSEMA, Dr. Dallami Arab Rukuje and the Store Officer of the agency, Isa Garba.

The duo who were being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), were sentenced on Friday by Justice Abubakar Jauro of the state high court on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, criminal misappropriation, aiding and abetting.

Rukuje, the Executive Secretary of the Gombe State Emergency Management Agency, GOSEMA, was accused of conspiring with Garba, the Store Officer to cart away some building materials meant to alleviate the sufferings of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs in the state.

The materials were provided by the Presidential Committee for the North-East Initiatives.

Rather than utilize the materials for the IDPs, they conspired to sell 5,000 bags of cement, and 4,000 drums of 20litre paint, and used the proceeds for their personal benefit.

They pleaded “not guilty” when they were arraigned in February 2018.