A Kano State High Court sitting in Kano has sentenced Ebonine Rita Uzoamaka to seven years’ imprisonment for obtaining N5.6 million by false pretence.
Delivering judgment, Justice Maryam Sabo convicted Uzoamaka on a five-count charge bordering on dishonest misappropriation and fraud involving a total sum of N5,660,000.
The defendant was arraigned on August 18, 2021, and initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, paving the way for a full trial.
According to the prosecution, the convict fraudulently obtained various sums from her victim under the guise of supplying baking products. One of the counts stated that on January 18, 2021, within the jurisdiction of the court, Uzoamaka obtained N2 million from Ochayi Anthony Eneche, which was paid into her Access Bank account, under the false representation that she had 500 cartons of D-Rich Baking Powder for sale. The court held that she knew the claim to be false.
The offence was found to be contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
During the trial, prosecution counsel Salihu Sani called four witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibits, all of which were admitted in evidence. The defendant testified as the sole witness in her defence.
In her judgment, Justice Sabo held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and consequently sentenced Uzoamaka to seven years’ imprisonment on all five counts. The court, however, granted her an option of a N500,000 fine.
The court heard that the convict was arrested after she failed to deliver the promised goods, having collected N5.6 million from the victim under the pretext of supplying D-Rich Baking Powder from Aba, Abia State. Instead of fulfilling the contract, she converted the funds to personal use.
