The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, has sentenced a former legislative aide and banker, Mr. Goni Yilkan, to eight years in prison for defrauding job seekers of N120.5 million under the guise of securing employment in government agencies.
Justice F.E. Messiri delivered the judgment on Monday, September 22, 2025, convicting Yilkan on a two-count charge of obtaining 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) had arraigned Yilkan alongside one Mohammed Adamu in October 2023 following a petition by Mrs. Hindatu Bello. She alleged that between 2020 and 2021, Yilkan deceived her into believing he could secure jobs for candidates in the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Acting on this claim, she raised funds from over 60 job seekers totaling N120,580,550, which she handed over to Yilkan.
The supposed employment slots never materialised, prompting the petitioner to alert the EFCC. During the trial, EFCC counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, presented six witnesses and documentary evidence, while the defence team, led by J.A. Oguche, called two witnesses, including the defendant.
In his ruling, Justice Messiri held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. While Yilkan was convicted, his co-defendant, Adamu, was discharged and acquitted.
The judge noted that Yilkan’s scheme exploited the desperation of job seekers and left them without employment or refunds, describing his conduct as a clear case of fraud.
