Two police officers and an immigration officer have been sentenced to seven years in prison each for defrauding job seekers of over N1.6 million.
The judgment was delivered by Justice T.G. Ringim at the Federal High Court in Gombe State on Tuesday.
The convicted officers, Yusuf AbdulKarim Bature and Musa Philip of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), along with Nasiru Mohammed of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), were found guilty of collecting money under false pretenses.
According to court records, Bature and Philip defrauded a woman named Asabe Hamed of N970,000 in 2022.
The officers had promised to secure a job for her, a claim they knew was false.
“That you, Yusuf Abdul Karim Bature and Musa Philip, while being public officers with the Nigerian Police Force, did falsely obtain the sum of N970,000 to secure a job, a claim you knew to be false,” part of the charge read.
Nasiru Mohammed, the immigration officer, was convicted for defrauding two victims, Abdul Rahman Abubakar and Akwalo Adamu.
He collected N670,000 from them under the guise of providing employment in the Nigeria Immigration Service.
The prosecution, led by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), presented evidence that Mohammed knew his promises were fraudulent.
“That you, Nasiru Mohammed, did falsely obtain N670,000 from Abdul Rahman Abubakar and Akwalo Adamu under the false pretense of securing them jobs,” the court document stated.
The three officers were charged under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.
Bature, Philip, and Mohammed all pleaded guilty to the charges.
In his ruling, Justice Ringim sentenced each of the defendants to seven years imprisonment.
However, the judge provided an option of a fine of N50,000 for each officer.
The court also ordered them to refund the full amount of N1,640,000 to their victims.
Additionally, the defendants were required to sign an undertaking to be of good behavior going forward.
The judgment has been praised as a victory against corruption in public service.
“The court has sent a clear message that fraud and deception will not be tolerated,” said an EFCC spokesperson.
For the victims, the ruling brings some relief.
One of the victims, who spoke anonymously, expressed gratitude but stressed the emotional toll of the ordeal.
“I just wanted a job to support my family. Instead, I lost everything,” the victim said.
The EFCC has reiterated its commitment to prosecuting fraudulent activities, especially involving public officials.
“This case is just one example of our ongoing fight against corruption,” the commission stated.
The case highlights the growing problem of employment scams in Nigeria.
Many job seekers fall prey to fraudsters who promise government jobs in exchange for money.
Experts say the situation is worsened by high unemployment rates and desperation among the youth.
