Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory Excessive Courtroom, Jabi, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced a former legislative aide and banker, Mr. Goni Yilkan, to eight years’ imprisonment for acquiring N120.5 million underneath false pretence.
Yilkan, a local of Nguru, Yobe State, was prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) on a two-count cost of acquiring cash by false pretence, opposite to Part 1(1)(a) and punishable underneath Part 1(3) of the Advance Payment Fraud and Different Associated Offences Act, 2006.
He was arraigned alongside Mohammed Adamu in October 2023 following investigations right into a petition by Mrs. Hindatu Bello, who alleged that Yilkan collected N120,580,550 from her underneath the guise of securing employment for over 60 job seekers in businesses such because the Federal Inland Income Service (FIRS), Central Financial institution of Nigeria (CBN), and Niger Delta Improvement Fee (NDDC).
In accordance with Bello, the roles by no means materialised, prompting her petition to the EFCC.
Throughout the trial, EFCC’s counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, introduced six witnesses and documentary proof, whereas the defence, led by J.A. Oguche, referred to as two witnesses, together with Yilkan.
In his judgment, Justice Messiri held that the EFCC proved its case past affordable doubt, convicted Yilkan, and sentenced him to eight years in jail with out an choice of high quality. His co-defendant, Adamu, was discharged and acquitted.
