Kano High Court Delivers Seven-Year Sentence in Major Fraud Case
In a significant ruling from the Kano State judiciary, Justice Maryam Sabo of the Kano State High Court has handed down a seven-year prison sentence to Ebonine Rita Uzoamaka for fraudulently obtaining the sum of N5,600,000.00 (Five Million, Six Hundred Thousand Naira). The conviction follows a detailed trial process that exposed the defendant's deceptive financial schemes.
Details of the Charges and Legal Proceedings
The defendant was formally arraigned on August 18, 2021, facing five counts of dishonest misappropriation of funds totaling N5,660,000.00. One of the charges specifically alleged that on January 18, 2021, in Kano, Uzoamaka obtained N2,000,000 from Ochayi Anthony Eneche by falsely claiming she had 500 cartons of D-Rich Baking powder available for sale. This amount was deposited into her Access Bank account number 0093030293, under pretenses she knew to be entirely fabricated.
Initially, Uzoamaka pleaded not guilty to all charges, prompting a full trial. Prosecution counsel Salihu Sani built a robust case, calling four witnesses and presenting multiple documented exhibits that were admitted as evidence by the court. In contrast, the defendant served as the sole witness in her own defense, attempting to counter the allegations.
Judgment and Sentencing Outcome
After careful consideration of the evidence, Justice Sabo found Uzoamaka guilty on all five counts, imposing a seven-year imprisonment term for each. However, the court offered an alternative: a fine of Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N500,000). The fraud stemmed from Uzoamaka's arrest for obtaining N5.6 million from her victim under the false pretense of supplying D-Rice Baking Powder from Aba, Abia State.
Upon receiving the funds, she failed to deliver the promised goods, instead converting the money for personal use. This breach of trust led to her prosecution and ultimate conviction, highlighting the judiciary's commitment to combating financial crimes in Nigeria.
