The Joint Admissions Matriculation Board (JAMB) has hailed the sentencing of a fraudulent CBT proprietor, Mr. Ezechinoso Augustine who was found guilty of registration infraction, concealment, breach of trust and theft.
A statement from the Board, signed by the Director Press, Dr. Fabian Benjamin, said the convict was sentenced by Justice Aliyu Ibrahim Kagarko of a Grade One Area Court, sitting in Aco Estate, Abuja, on Friday February 9, 2024.
The statement said when the case came up for hearing on Monday, 6th February, 2024, the accused, who operates a CBT centre in Onitsha, was charged with criminal breach of trust, concealment, registration infraction and theft.
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the accused had intent to conceal theft contrary to Section 311, 391 and 286 of the Penal Code. It stated: “That on 26th January, 2024 you, Mr. Ezechinoso, male, of No. 28 Omonun Street, Awada, Onitsha, Anambra State, signed and collected a customized and sensitive registration material from the Anambra State Office of the Board to enable you kick-start and activate the process of UTME registration but instead, concealed it with intention to defraud the Board, to enable you acquire a second one to complete your fraudulent activities at the CBT centre.”
The FIR further said that the accused alleged that the material he collected was not functioning, adding that he lied and denied being in possession of any material for registration during interrogation.
The further said “it was later revealed that Ezechinoso actually concealed the material, thereby committing the above offences.”
According to the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Olisaemeka Okeke, who was holding brief for Mr. Stanley Nafoaku, the suspect had pleaded guilty to the charge. The defendant counsel, Barrister Pere Adge, however, pleaded that the accused was a Nigerian, who might have been prompted by the prevailing circumstances to commit the infractions without intent to cause damage or harm, and being a first-time offender, she pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
“The presiding judge, Justice Aliyu Ibrahim Kagarko, however, found the suspect guilty and ordered that he should be remanded at Nasarawa correctional centre till Thursday, 8th February, 2024, when judgment would be delivered.”
“However, the case could not be heard on the scheduled date on account of unforeseen circumstances and was postponed to the following day, Friday, 9th February, 2024.”
“Delivering the judgment, the presiding judge found Mr. Ezechinoso guilty on all four counts citing the criminal breach of trust, which attracted nine-month imprisonment or 30 thousand Naira fine and attempt to commit the offence of cheating, which attracts a six-month imprisonment or a fine of twenty thousand Naira.”
The statement explained that Ezechinoso was also found guilty of intent to conceal evidence, which attracted a three-month imprisonment term or the payment of a fine of ten thousand Naira while the fourth count charge, which was theft, attracted eight months or a fine of thirty thousand Naira fine.
Reacting to the judgment, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) welcomed the verdict and warned would-be offenders to desist from their immoral agenda, stating that lawbreakers would face the full wrath of the law.
The Board also warned of the array of technological devices at its disposal and which had enabled real-time detection of infractions. It, therefore, warned that it would not hesitate to wield the big stick on any person or groups, no matter how highly-placed, who might wish to undermine the Board.
The Board reassured the public that it would not leave any stone unturned to protect its systems and clients against any forms of violation.
In another development, the Board has restated its zero tolerance for infractions of the nation’s statutes, stressing that, as a regulatory agency, it does not condone any form of unwholesome practice capable of bringing its hard-earned integrity to disrepute.
Consequently, it vowed to follow up the prosecution of the case of the reported violation of the data protection right of a 15-year-old candidate by an agent of a CBT Centre currently before a Lagos court and assured the parents of the 15 year old girl and other concerned Nigerians involved that justice would be served accordingly.
