NEWS
Court jails AGIS staff, Henry Udora 9 years for advance fee fraud
A senior staff of the Abuja Geographical Information Service (AGIS), Henry Udora, has been sentenced to nine years imprisonment without option of fine.
Justice Maryann Anenih found the defendant guilty of obtaining property by fraudulent intent and issuing dud cheques, charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Delivering judgment, Justice Anenih stated that the convict defrauded his victim of ₦12.5 million under the pretext of securing a plot of land, in violation of Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2003.
Udora was also convicted for issuing a dud cheque valued at ₦5 million, knowing his account lacked sufficient funds, contrary to Section 416(g) of the same Act.
After evaluating the charges and testimonies of two prosecution witnesses, the judge found Udora guilty of both advance fee fraud and issuance of a dud cheque.
The court sentenced him to seven years in prison for the fraud and two years for the dud cheque offence. However, both sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of seven years.
The judge rejected a plea for leniency by defence counsel Osita Ibekwute, citing that the Advance Fee Fraud Act does not allow judicial discretion for such cases.
EFCC counsel, Victor Ughagwu, informed the court that Udora is facing additional petitions involving millions of naira.
Justice Anenih emphasized that land fraud and advance fee fraud in Abuja remain serious concerns, warning that such offences cause significant harm to victims and must not be taken lightly.