Lawyers in the country have described the conviction and sentencing of the former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank, Mrs. Cecelia Ibru, for abuse of office and financial irregulaties, as a slap on the wrist, inadequate to deter highly-placed, but corrupt-minded officials from aspiring for public office.
The ‘light sentence,’ they also argued, suggested that there were two sets of laws for Nigerians- one for the rich and the other for the poor.
Ibru, who was initially arraigned on a 25-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), was jailed for 18 months last Friday on a three-count charge, based on plea bargaining which saw the alleged offences reduced to three.
She is to spend only six months in prison, as the sentences are to run concurrently, in addition to forfeiting N191 billion.
However, the former bank chief may not see the inside of the prison wall, as she was ordered back to the hospital, where she is said to be receiving treatment over ill-health.
Story From YINKA FABOWALE, Ibadan
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