A general court martial (GCM) has sentenced Master Warrant Officer Michael Oyebanji to 21 years in jail for criminal breach of trust, theft, conspiracy and misappropriation of #41 million.
Oyebanji, who was the Vice President of 151 Base Services Group Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Makurdi, Benue State, was convicted on 46-count charge of conniving with three others to steal the money belonging to the cooperative. In addition, he suffered reduction in rank to corporal and was further ordered to refund the stolen money. The GCM was headed by Air Commodore Nazib Aliyu.
Also convicted were Flt Lt. Sherifi Olawoore, Flying Officer Ademola Adekoya and Warrant Officer Paul Atteh. Adekoya was found guilty of negligence as the cooperative secretary and was handed one year loss of seniority.
Similarly, Atteh, the cooperative treasurer, was convicted for negligence as well as falsifying documents and for criminal breach of trust. He was awarded reduction in rank from Warrant Officer to Sergeant, in the first instance, and then eventually reduced to the rank of Corporal. He was also ordered to pay #1 million fine. Meanwhile, the GCM ordered the release of Atteh from detention.
The Director of Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday, adding that the judgment was delivered on September 24.
All the sentences are however subject to confirmation by the appropriate superior authority.