An Oyo State High Court in Ibadan has sentenced Olayiwola Oguntade, a former staff member of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), to five years in prison for fraud.
The conviction followed a prolonged legal battle after Oguntade was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count amended charge, including forgery, advance fee fraud, and obtaining money by false pretence. The charges stemmed from a fraudulent transaction amounting to N10 million.
Details of the Charges
According to the EFCC, Oguntade, in 2010, conspired to defraud Polybadan Microfinance Bank Ltd by obtaining N10 million under false pretences through an intermediary, Kola Al-Amin. One of the charges read:
“That you, Olayiwola Oguntade, sometime in 2010 at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N10,000,000 by false pretence through Kola Al-Amin from Polybadan Microfinance Bank Ltd and thereby committed an offence of obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 1 (i) (b) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Legal Proceedings and Conviction
Oguntade had pleaded “not guilty” when he was first arraigned on October 13, 2020, setting the stage for a legal battle that lasted over four years.
During the trial, the EFCC prosecution team, led by Oyelakin Oyediran and Lanre Suleiman, presented 10 witnesses and submitted multiple incriminating documents as evidence. The prosecution argued that the evidence overwhelmingly proved Oguntade’s involvement in the fraudulent scheme.
On January 28, Justice Bayo Taiwo, in his ruling, upheld the prosecution’s case, stating that the EFCC had successfully demonstrated the defendant’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
“The prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, and the court is convinced that the defendant is guilty of the offences filed against him by the EFCC,” Justice Taiwo declared.
Sentencing and Implications
Following the conviction, the court sentenced Oguntade to five years imprisonment without the option of a fine.
Legal experts believe the judgment reinforces the government’s commitment to tackling financial crimes, particularly fraud in public institutions. The EFCC, in a statement, commended the ruling, describing it as a victory for the justice system and a warning to public officials involved in fraudulent activities.
Oguntade’s sentencing adds to the growing list of convictions secured by the EFCC in its ongoing campaign against corruption and financial misconduct in Nigeria.
