A Katsina High Court has sentenced the Director of Administration of the Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority (SRRBDA), Rabiu Musa Matazu, to five years in prison for abuse of office and criminal breach of trust.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) disclosed this in a statement signed by its spokesperson, Demola Bakare.

Matazu was arraigned on a four-count charge bordering on the diversion of rent proceeds belonging to the agency.

During the trial, ICPC counsel, Ibrahim Garba, told the court that the convict received ₦305,000 from a subordinate, Lawal Dan Sarki, being rent proceeds from SRRBDA properties in Katsina State, and converted the funds to personal use.

One of the charges read in part: “That you, Rabiu Musa Matazu, in October 2014, used your position as Director of Administration to confer unfair advantage upon yourself by receiving the total sum of ₦305,000, proceeds from rent collected on behalf of SRRBDA, which you converted to your personal use.”

Although Matazu pleaded not guilty, Justice Abbas Bawule found him guilty on all four counts after a three-year trial.

He was sentenced to six months imprisonment or an option of ₦20,000 fine on three counts, and five years imprisonment without an option of fine on the fourth count. The sentences will run concurrently.

The ICPC stated that its investigation revealed that the director failed to remit the funds into the agency’s account and instead diverted them for personal gain.

The commission described the verdict as a strong message that public officials who betray public trust will face justice.