Appeal Court Denies Bail to Ex-FCTA Director Dukku

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has refused the bail application of Garba Mohammed Dukku, a retired Director of Finance and Administration with the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC) under the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). Dukku was convicted and sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment for diverting approximately N319 million in public funds.

He sought bail pending his appeal against the Federal High Court's judgment, which was presided over by Honourable Justice James Omotosho. The court ruled that Dukku failed to demonstrate any exceptional circumstances justifying bail.

However, it granted an accelerated hearing for his appeal. Dukku was convicted on six counts of corruption and money laundering, with the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) proving that he fraudulently transferred N318,250,000 into his personal account from 2012 to 2013.

The court also imposed a fine of about N1.6 billion. The ICPC welcomed the ruling, emphasizing the need for compelling circumstances in bail applications.