Magistrate jailed over N.1m bribe he demanded 15 yrs ago

An FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, has sentenced Magistrate Mohammed Balogun to three years imprisonment for demanding N100, 000 bribe 15 year ago to influence judgment.

Justice Ishaq Bello, who convicted Balogun on Thursday, however gave him N500, 000 option of fine.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had leveled a two-count charge bordering on demanding gratification on Magistrate Balogun.

He was said to have on September 21, 2003, requested one Dr. Isidore Nnadi to pay him a bribe of N100, 000 so that he (Balogun), can influence the judgment of two court cases Nnadi was involved in, which were pending before Balogun’s court, in Nnadi’s favour.

The anti-graft agency had contended that the offence is contrary to Section 10 (1) and (2) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000.

The ICPC further accused Balogun of collecting N50, 000 from Nnadi to influence the judgment in his favour.

But delivering judgment in the matter on Thursday, Justice Bello said that the convict had pleaded for leniency, saying he was a first time offender. He added that Balogun had suffered psychological distress because his family deserted him since the matter started.

He then ruled, “Considering the fact that he was entrusted with a 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.

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“Nevertheless, I hereby sentence the convict to a three-year period of imprisonment or to pay a fine of N500, 000.”

Before ruling on the matter, the judge had said that he acknowledged the position of the prosecution that the convict is a first time offender.

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