Former Banker Sentenced to 8 Years for N120.5 Million Job Scam
In a significant legal victory against fraud, a Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced a former legislative aide and banker, Mr. Goni Yilkan, to eight years in prison.
The conviction stems from a N120.5 million employment scam, where Yilkan obtained money by false pretense from over 60 desperate job seekers.
The judgment, passed by Justice F. E. Messiri, came after a thorough prosecution by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Yilkan, who hails from Nguru, Yobe State, was found guilty on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretense, a crime that violates Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
What the Scam Entailed
The case against Yilkan began with a petition from a woman who was defrauded by the convict. The petitioner claimed that between 2020 and 2021, Yilkan convinced her that he had the capacity to secure employment slots in prominent government agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
Based on this false promise, the petitioner collected a total of N120,580,550 from over 60 job seekers and remitted the funds to Yilkan.
However, the promised jobs never materialized, prompting the petitioner to report the matter to the EFCC. The defendant, who was arraigned alongside an accomplice, Mohammed Adamu (who was later discharged and acquitted), denied the allegations, leading to a trial where the EFCC presented six witnesses and a wealth of documentary evidence to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Court’s Verdict
In his ruling, Justice Messiri confirmed that the prosecution had successfully proven its case. He convicted Yilkan and sentenced him to eight years in prison without the option of a fine. This judgment serves as a strong deterrent to individuals who exploit the high unemployment rate in Nigeria to defraud unsuspecting citizens.
The EFCC has a mandate to enforce all economic and financial crimes laws, and it has been increasingly active in prosecuting employment scams.
The agency has repeatedly warned the public against falling victim to such schemes and encourages citizens to report any suspicious activities.
The conviction of Goni Yilkan underscores the EFCC’s commitment to holding perpetrators of these crimes accountable and safeguarding the public from predatory fraudsters.
Join Our Social Media Channels:
WhatsApp: NaijaEyes
Facebook: NaijaEyes
Twitter: NaijaEyes
Instagram: NaijaEyes
TikTok: NaijaEyes
