A former legislative aide, Mr. Goni Yilkan, has been sentenced to eight years in prison for defrauding job seekers of N120.5 million.
Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, delivered the verdict on Tuesday, finding Yilkan guilty on two counts of obtaining money by false pretence.
The conviction follows an investigation by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), triggered by a petition from a woman, Mrs. Hindatu Bello. The petitioner stated that between 2020 and 2021, Yilkan deceived her into believing he could secure employment for over 60 individuals in agencies like the FIRS, CBN, and NDDC.
After collecting the money from the victims, the promised jobs never materialized. The prosecution presented a strong case with six witnesses and documentary evidence, leading the judge to rule that the EFCC had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
Justice Messiri sentenced Yilkan to eight years imprisonment without an option of a fine. His co-defendant, Mohammed Adamu, was however discharged and acquitted.
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