By Nkechi Eze
Justice Maryam Sabo of the Kano State High Court sitting in Kano has convicted and sentenced Ebonine Rita Uzoamaka to seven years imprisonment for obtaining N5,600,000 by false pretence.
Uzoamaka was arraigned before the court on August 18, 2021, on a five-count charge bordering on dishonest misappropriation of funds totaling N5,660,000.
One of the charges stated that the convict, on January 18, 2021, in Kano, within the jurisdiction of the court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N2,000,000 from Ochayi Anthony Eneche, which was paid into her account number 0093030293 domiciled with Access Bank Plc, under the false pretence that she had 500 cartons of D-Rich baking powder to sell to him.
The charge further stated that the pretence was false and that she thereby committed an offence 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.
When the charges were initially read to her, the defendant pleaded not guilty, paving the way for a full trial.
During the trial, prosecution counsel, Salihu Sani, presented four witnesses and tendered several documentary exhibits, all of which were admitted in evidence by the court to establish the guilt of the defendant. In her defence, Uzoamaka testified as the sole witness.
Delivering judgment, Justice Sabo found her guilty on all five counts and sentenced her to seven years imprisonment. The court, however, granted her an option of fine of N500,000.
The court heard that Uzoamaka was arrested after she fraudulently obtained N5.6 million from her victim under the guise of supplying D-Rich baking powder from Aba, Abia State. After receiving the money, she failed to supply the goods as agreed and instead converted the funds to her personal use.
