An aviation ministry staff has been jailed for scamming a job seeker out of ₦1 million.
He promised civil service work but got caught and sentenced after a guilty plea in court.
A staff member of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Elvis Okerenyi, has been sentenced to one year in prison by an Abuja High Court for fraudulently collecting ₦1 million from a job seeker under the false promise of securing employment in the Federal Civil Service.
The judgment was delivered by Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court following a legal action filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). The anti-graft agency brought the case against Okerenyi after uncovering evidence that he had deceitfully obtained money from one Titus Tavershima, claiming he could facilitate his employment in the civil service.
According to the ICPC, their investigation revealed that Okerenyi had demanded and received the sum of ₦1 million from Tavershima, exploiting the victim’s desperation to secure a government job. The commission stated that Okerenyi’s actions contravened Section 320 of the Penal Code and were punishable under Section 322, both of which are applicable in the Federal Capital Territory.
In a statement issued on Sunday by ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare, it was revealed that the case had initially involved seven separate charges. However, based on a plea bargain agreement reached with the prosecution, the charges were consolidated into a single count, making way for a more expedited judicial process.
Upon his arraignment before Justice Oriji, Okerenyi pleaded guilty to the amended charge. The court then convicted him in accordance with Section 270(10) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), which allows for conviction based on plea bargain agreements.
In sentencing the defendant, the court gave him the option of serving one year in prison or paying a fine of ₦200,000. Beyond the custodial sentence, Justice Oriji also ordered Okerenyi to make a partial restitution of ₦350,000 to the victim, Titus Tavershima. This was part of the conditions set by the court to ensure some financial relief to the defrauded individual.
The case underscores the ongoing efforts by the ICPC to clamp down on fraudulent practices, especially those involving abuse of public office or attempts to exploit the high unemployment rate in Nigeria for personal gain. The commission urged the public to remain vigilant and report similar incidents to appropriate authorities.
