Architect bags 2 years imprisonment for defrauding SAN of N2.5m
NAN-H-61
Architect
By Moji Eniola
Ikeja, Dec. 22, 2016 (NAN) A 54-year-old architect, Moses Olayemi, was sentenced to two years in prison for defrauding Dr Aliyu Salman, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), of N2.5million.
While delivering judgment in an Ikeja High Court on Thursday, Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo, said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
“The defendant is hereby found guilty of the four-count charge bordering on fraud, conspiracy and impersonation; he is sentenced to two years in prison,” Lawal-Akapo said.
During earlier proceedings on the case, the anti-graft agency had told the court that it received a petition dated May 19, 2013 from Salman on May 23, 2013.
The EFCC also told the court that Salman alleged that he received a phone call from an individual who claimed to be a member of the National Assembly Committee charged with screening him for a Federal Government appointment.
The individual, who introduced himself as Henry and the committee chair, directed the SAN to pay N2.5million into a Skye Bank account with number 1018878813 belonging to the convict.
According to the anti-graft agency, the money was part payment of a ‘National Assembly Committee screening fee’ for the purported Federal Government appointment of Salman.
The EFCC said that the SAN transferred the money into Olayemi’s account on March 21, 2013 and weeks later, he came to the realisation that he had been defrauded.
The offence is in contravention of Sections 1(3) and 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006.
The defendant had pleaded not guilty to the charge levelled against him. (NAN)
MAE/HAS/TA
Edited By Hajia Sani/Tajudeen Atitebi