Justice F.E. Messiri of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Jabi, Abuja, has convicted and sentenced a former legislative aide and banker, Mr. Goni Yilkan, to eight years’ imprisonment for obtaining N120.5 million under false pretence.
Yilkan, a native of Nguru, Yobe State, was prosecuted by the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1)(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
He was arraigned alongside Mohammed Adamu in October 2023 following investigations into a petition by Mrs. Hindatu Bello, who alleged that Yilkan collected N120,580,550 from her under the guise of securing employment for over 60 job seekers in agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
According to Bello, the jobs never materialised, prompting her petition to the EFCC.
During the trial, EFCC’s counsel, Cosmas Ugwu, presented six witnesses and documentary evidence, while the defence, led by J.A. Oguche, called two witnesses, including Yilkan.
In his judgment, Justice Messiri held that the EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicted Yilkan, and sentenced him to eight years in prison without an option of fine. His co-defendant, Adamu, was discharged and acquitted.
