A Jabi High Court in the Federal Capital Territory has sentenced Mr. Goni Yilkan, a former legislative aide and banker, to eight years in prison for defrauding job seekers of N120.5 million in an employment scam.
Justice F. E. Messiri found Yilkan, from Nguru, Yobe State, guilty on two counts of obtaining money by false pretence under the Advance Fee Fraud Act of 2006. Yilkan and his co-defendant, Mohammed Adamu, were arraigned in October 2023 following a victim’s complaint.
Court records show that between January 2020 and December 2021, Yilkan and others deceived over 60 job seekers, promising them federal government positions in agencies like the Federal Inland Revenue Service, Central Bank of Nigeria, and Niger Delta Development Commission. The complainant collected N120.58 million from victims and transferred it to Yilkan, but no jobs were provided, leading to a petition and investigation.
The prosecution presented six witnesses and documentary evidence, while the defense called two, including Yilkan. The court ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, convicting Yilkan to eight years without a fine option. Adamu was acquitted.
This case underscores efforts to curb employment fraud targeting vulnerable job seekers. In August 2023, the EFCC had declared Yilkan wanted for similar charges.
