Court Issues Unusual Sentence: Woman Convicted Of N3 Million Fraud Given Option To Pay N20,000 Instead Of Three-Year Jail Term

Court Issues Unusual Sentence: Woman Convicted Of N3 Million Fraud Given Option To Pay N20,000 Instead Of Three-Year Jail Term

In a surprising turn of events, a High Court in Gombe State has granted an unconventional sentence, allowing Rose Dogara Silas Gyar, convicted of a N3 million fraud, the option to pay N20,000 instead of serving a three-year jail term….READ MORE

The judgment has sparked criticism and raised eyebrows among netizens for its perceived leniency.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) brought Gyar before Justice Abdul Hamid in Gombe on charges of defrauding Saifullahi Sani Abdullahi. The accused, in collaboration with Mohammad Babayo Maina, allegedly deceived Abdullahi by promising assistance in securing a loan through the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Anchor Borrowers Programme, aimed at supporting farmers.

Abdullahi, who provided N3 million as collateral for the promised loan, later realized he had been duped and reported the incident to the EFCC when he received no support from the CBN.

Gyar, facing a one-count charge of cheating under Section 322 of the Penal Code, pleaded guilty during the trial. The prosecution sought a conviction and appropriate sentencing, while the defense emphasized the defendant’s remorse and full compensation to the victim.

Justice Hamid, finding Gyar guilty, issued an unprecedented three-year prison sentence but allowed an alternative N20,000 fine. The decision has stirred controversy, questioning the efficacy of such a nominal penalty for a substantial fraud.

In a related development, the EFCC’s Gombe Zonal Command arrested Yusufu Tanimu for alleged involvement in Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card fraud. The arrest followed credible information about Tanimu’s fraudulent activities at Ecobank Plc. Various items, including 33 ATM cards from different banks, a Techno phone, and an ATM card holder, were seized during the arrest. Tanimu will face charges once the investigation is complete