A Nigerian professor based in the United States has been sentenced to 70 months in prison after being found guilty of diverting over $1.4 million in funds meant to support vulnerable and low-income children.
The convict, identified as Professor Abimbola Farinde, was sentenced by a U.S. federal court after investigations revealed that the funds, which were allocated to child nutrition and care programmes, were fraudulently mismanaged for personal benefit.
According to court documents, the professor used his position and access to public resources to siphon money intended for children from struggling families across several communities in the United States. Authorities said the fraud was carried out over a period of years before discrepancies in financial records triggered an investigation.
Prosecutors described the crime as a major betrayal of public trust, especially considering that the funds were specifically designated to provide food assistance and welfare support for underprivileged children.
During sentencing, the court reportedly considered the scale of the financial misconduct, the impact on affected programmes, and the abuse of professional responsibility before handing down the prison term.
In addition to the 70-month jail sentence, the court also ordered financial restitution and further penalties tied to the fraudulent activities.
The case has continued to generate reactions online, with many expressing disappointment that resources meant to improve the lives of disadvantaged children were diverted for selfish gain.
Authorities in the United States say the sentencing sends a strong message that financial crimes involving public welfare funds will be aggressively prosecuted regardless of status or profession.