Appeal Court upholds Conviction of Fraudster to Seven Years Imprisonment

The Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division has upheld the judgment of the High Court of Justice sitting in Lafia, Nassarawa State presided by Hon Justice S. Aboki that convicted and sentenced Mr Ayuba Bitrus Bakkat to seven years imprisonment.

The Justices of the Court of Appeal unanimously agreed with the Judgment of the trial court as read by Hon Justice Oyebisi Folayemi Omoleye and concurred by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma and Obande Ogbuinya.

The Convict was arraigned before the trial court on a three count charge of corruption contrary to section 10(9) (ii) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

The first Count states that between November and December 2009 in his house at karu, Nassarawa State, Mr Bakkat received the sum of N70, 000 from one Mr Ugueze Obinna to facilitate the employment of one Ugueze Amarachi into the Nigeria Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) using one Jonathan Ebewie, now at large.

The second Count states Mr Bakkat between November and December 2009 in his house at Karu, Nassarawa State also received the sum of N55, 000 from one Philip Adejoh to facilitate his employment into the Nigeria Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) with the aid of Jonathan Ebewie.

The third Count accused Mr Bakkat of receiving the sum of N80, 000 from Mr Philip Adejoh to facilitate the employment of one Andrew Elem into the Nigeria Civil Defence Corp (NSCDC) using same Jonathan Ebewie and his acclaimed connections.