In a landmark judgment, the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Jabi, Abuja, has sentenced former legislative aide and banker, Goni Yilkan, to 8 years imprisonment for orchestrating a massive N120.5 million job scam. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Yilkan alongside Mohammed Adamu in October 2023, following a petition from a victim who alleged she was defrauded by the convict.
The Scam*
Between 2020 and 2021, Yilkan deceived over 60 job seekers into believing he had connections that could secure employment slots in prominent government agencies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The victims collectively paid N120,580,550, which Yilkan allegedly collected without delivering on his promises.
*Trial and Judgment*
During the trial, the EFCC’s legal team presented six witnesses and tendered documentary evidence to support their claims. In contrast, Yilkan’s defense team presented two witnesses, including the defendant himself, to dispute the allegations. Justice F.E. Messiri, after reviewing the evidence, held that the prosecution had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt, convicting Yilkan on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence.
Implications*
This judgment highlights the EFCC’s commitment to tackling corruption and job scams that prey on vulnerable individuals seeking legitimate employment. Yilkan’s sentence serves as a deterrent to others who engage in similar fraudulent activities. The EFCC’s efforts in this case demonstrate the importance of robust law enforcement and judicial cooperation in combating economic and financial crimes ¹.
