Kano Court Sentences Woman to Seven Years for Fraud

Ebonin Rita Uzoamaka was sentenced to seven years in prison by the Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Maryam Sabo, for committing fraud amounting to N5.6 million. Uzoamaka was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on August 18, 2021, facing five counts of obtaining money under false pretenses.

The court found that she had defrauded a victim, Ochayi Anthoni Enoch, by falsely claiming to supply 500 cartons of D Rich bake powder, for which she received N2 million. Upon failing to deliver the goods, she misappropriated the funds.

The prosecution, led by Salihu Sani, presented four witnesses and several documentary exhibits to establish Uzoamaka's guilt. Despite her plea of not guilty, the court convicted her on all counts and offered an alternative fine of N500,000, which she did not pay.

The judgment was delivered on January 18, 2021, within the jurisdiction of the Kano State High Court.