PHOTO: A Cheating
PHOTO: A Cheating Tailor Convicted for overpayment Fraud
of N99,000
The Makurdi Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission (EFCC), on Monday, November 4, 2019 secured the
conviction of one Orhena Sesugh Bartholomew before Justice Mobolaji
Olajuwon of the Federal High Court, Makurdi, Benue State.
Trouble started for Bartholomew, a tailor, when the Makurdi
Zonal Office of the EFCC received a petition from a complainant,
who operates Firstmonie Cash Point that belongs First Bank,
alleging that Bartholomew came to him to transfer N1,000:00 (One
thousand Naira) only to his friend in Lagos, but that he, the
operator, mistakenly transferred N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand
Naira) to the recipient.
After Bartholomew had left, the complainant said he contacted
him to refund him his N99,000, (Ninety-nine Thousand Naira)
balance, but that he claimed he was already on his way to Lagos and
would not return.
The friend in Lagos, however, saw the money and sent it (the
entire N99,000) back to Bartholomew’s account. However, instead of
Bartholomew sending it to the agent, he converted it to his
personal use and bought a Honda cub motorcycle with it.
The Commission arrested and arraigned him in court.
One of the charges against him reads: “That you, Orhena Sesugh
Bartholomewon on or about 15th of October, 2019 in Makurdi, within
the jurisdiction of this honourable court, without lawful authority
engaged in acquisition of a super cub Honda motorcycle knowing that
the said motorcycle was proceed of criminal activity and you
thereby committed an offence, contrary to Section 18(1) of the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004
and punishable under Section 18(2) of the same Act.”
He pleaded guilty to the charge. Following his plea, prosecution
counsel, G. G. Chai-Yakua urged the court to accept a plea bargain
agreement earlier reached with defendant and convict him
accordingly.
Justice Olajuwon convicted him and sentenced him to two years
imprisonment with option of N50,000 (Fifty Thousand Naira)
fine.
The N99,999.00 (Ninety-nine Thousand Nine Hundred and
Ninety-nine Naira ), which the defendant had been made to cough out
in the course of investigation was paid to the complainant as
restitution. He also forfeited his Honda cub motorcycle to the
federal government.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
4 November, 2019