Kano Court Jails Woman Seven Years for N5.6m Fraud
A Kano State High Court has sentenced Ebonine Rita Uzoamaka to seven years imprisonment for obtaining N5.6 million by false pretence.
Justice Maryam Sabo of the Kano State High Court, sitting in Kano, convicted Uzoamaka on a five-count charge bordering on dishonest misappropriation and advance fee fraud.
The defendant was arraigned on August 18, 2021, for fraudulently obtaining a total of N5,660,000 from her victim under the guise of supplying D-Rich Baking Powder.
According to one of the charges, Uzoamaka, on January 18, 2021, obtained N2 million from Ochayi Anthony Eneche, which was paid into her Access Bank account, under the false claim that she had 500 cartons of baking powder for sale — a representation the court found to be false.
She initially pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial. During proceedings, prosecution counsel Salihu Sani called four witnesses and tendered documentary evidence to establish her guilt, while the defendant testified in her own defence.
In her judgment, Justice Sabo found her guilty on all five counts and sentenced her to seven years imprisonment, with an option of a N500,000 fine.
The conviction followed investigations which revealed that after receiving the funds, the convict failed to supply the goods as promised and instead diverted the money for personal use.
