Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court, sitting in Makurdi, Benue State has convicted and sentenced Felicia Daniel to one year imprisonment for fraudulent acquisition of funds.
Daniel was convicted on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 after pleading “guilty” to one- count charge bordering on fraudulent acquisition of funds in the sum of N1,225, 000( One Million Two Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira only).
The one-count charge read: “That you, Felicia Daniel “F” sometime on 5th December, 2020 in Makurdi, Benue State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without lawful authority engaged in the acquisition of N1,225,000.00 (One Million Two Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira) only transferred to your Eco Bank account No. 0060300307/ 2161301698 by one Blessing Ibe Union Bank Account No. 0043349875, knowing that at the time of acquisition of the said money it was derived from unlawful activity and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (1) (a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment Act) 2004 and punishable under Section 18 (2) of the same Act”.
The defendant pleaded “guilty” to the charge when it was read to her.
Upon her plea, prosecution counsel, M. Yusuf prayed the court to convict and sentence her as charged. Justice Dogo thereafter convicted and sentenced Daniel to one year imprisonment, with an option of fine of N300, 000.00( Three Hundred Thousand Naira only).
Daniel’s journey to the Correctional Centre began when a petitioner alleged that on December 3, 2022, she mistakenly transferred N1,250,000 to Felicia Daniel account number and all efforts to recover the money proved abortive.
In a related development the Makurdi Zonal Command of the EFCC arraigned Onminyi Joseph Agbayi before Justice Abdu Dogo of the Federal High Court, Makurdi, Benue State on two-count charges bordering on unlawful conversion, acquisition of property and breach of trust.
One of the charges read: “That you Onminyi Joseph Agbayi sometime in 2021 in Makurdi, Benue State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court without lawful authority engaged in the acquisition of N4,500,000.00 (Four Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira), knowing that at the time of acquisition of the said money it was derived from unlawful activity and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18 (1) (a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment Act) 2004 and punishable under Section 18 (2) of the same Act”.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge.
Consequently, prosecution counsel, M. Yusuf prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendant in a Correctional Centre. However, defence counsel, I. M. Mari, informed the court that a bail application in favour of the defendant had been filed and served on the prosecution and the court. He urged the court to admit the defendant to bail on most liberal terms.
Justice Dogo, after listening to both parties, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2million (Two Million Naira only) and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must have a landed property each in Makurdi and must be resident in Makurdi, Benue State. Also, the judge ordered the sureties to submit two recent passport photographs each to the court registry, together with their last promotion and appointment letters
The judge adjourned the matter to May 11, 2022 and remanded the defendant at the Correctional Center, Makurdi, pending the perfection of his bail.
Wilson Uwujaren
Head, Media & Publicity
23 March, 2022
