An employee of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Elvis Okerenyi, has been sentenced to one year in prison by an Abuja High Court for defrauding a job seeker of N1 million under the false promise of securing employment in the Federal Civil Service.
Justice S.C. Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court delivered the verdict following a case filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
According to the ICPC, Okerenyi collected the money from one Titus Tavershima, claiming he could secure a job for him in the civil service.
The offence contravenes Section 320 and is punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code, Cap 532, Laws of the FCT, 2006.
In a statement issued on Sunday, ICPC spokesperson Demola Bakare disclosed that the initial seven-count charge was reduced to one, following a plea bargain agreement.
Okerenyi pleaded guilty to the amended charge and was convicted under Section 270(10) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
The court sentenced him to one year imprisonment with an option of a N200,000 fine and further directed him to pay N350,000 in restitution to the victim.