FCT COURT JAILS EX-LEGISLATIVE AIDE, BANKER EIGHT YEARS FOR N120.5M JOB SCAM

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi has sentenced a former legislative aide and banker, Mr. Goni Yilkan, to eight years in prison for obtaining N120.58 million under false pretence in a bogus employment scheme.

Justice F. E. Messiri, in a ruling delivered on Monday, found Yilkan guilty on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act. He was sentenced without the option of a fine.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in a statement on Tuesday, disclosed that Yilkan was arraigned alongside Mohammed Adamu in October 2023 following a petition from one Mrs. Hindatu Bello, who alleged that she and over 60 job seekers were defrauded between 2020 and 2021.

Investigations revealed that Yilkan claimed he could secure jobs in federal agencies, including the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Relying on his assurances, Bello allegedly collected varying sums from job seekers amounting to N120.58 million, which she remitted to him.

The prosecution, led by Cosmas Ugwu, called six witnesses and tendered several documents to establish its case, while the defence, represented by J.A. Oguche, called two witnesses, including Yilkan.

In his judgment, Justice Messiri held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Yilkan but discharging and acquitting Adamu.

The conviction underscores EFCC’s crackdown on employment scams, which have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians in recent years.