Fraudster Bags Jail Term for Fake Prison Job

Justice Dije Aboki of the Kano State High Court today convicted and sentenced one Charles Ngezelonye, a former staff of the Nigeria Prison Service to 2 years imprisonment on a two count charge of cheating.

The convict’s journey to prison started after the Commission received a petition from one Ogueri Immaculate, alleging that the convict defrauded her of the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) under the pretext of securing her a job with the Nigeria Prison Service.

She further alleged that after she had paid the money, the convict failed to secure her the employment nor return her money.

One of the count read, “That you Ngezelonye Charles  sometime in 2013 and 2016 within the judicial Division of this court with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum five hundred thousand naira (#500,000.00) from Uheri Immaculate through your First Bank account No. 2026600369 on the false presence that Nigeria Prison are replacing staff and that you have slots to provide her employment, pretence which you knew to be false and you thereby committed cheating, an offence punishable under section 322 of the Penal Code”.

After listening to the charge read against him, the convict pleaded guilty to the two count charge.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel Doglas Gift asked the court to convict in accordance with section 322 of the Penal Code. Counsel representing the convict, Modupe Spaine pleaded with court to tamper justice with mercy in sentencing the convict. Considering the fact that the convict has no previous criminal record, Justice Aboki sentenced him to one year imprisonment on each of the count. He was also offered an option of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira ) fine on each of the two counts.

The sentence is to run concurrently.

Wilson Uwujaren

Head, Media & Publicity