The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has sentenced Solomon Ogodo, an officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to seven years in prison for his involvement in an employment scam.
Ogodo was found guilty of defrauding job seekers of N12.2 million under the pretense of securing employment for their relatives in the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS).
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned Ogodo on a five-count charge of forgery, employment racketeering, and fraud. The offences contravened sections 13 and 68 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000, as well as sections 363 and 364 of the Penal Code Act.
During the proceedings, the defendant’s counsel, A.A. Nwoye, pleaded for the court to convert the sentence to community service. However, the prosecution counsel urged the court to consider section 319 (1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, which mandates restitution to victims.
In his ruling, Justice M.S. Idris sentenced Ogodo to seven years imprisonment on counts 1 to 3 without the option of a fine. Additionally, Ogodo received a two-month sentence with the option of a N5,000 fine on count 4, and a further two-month jail term without an option of a fine on count 5.
The judge also ordered Ogodo to refund the N12.2 million he collected from his victims as compensation.
The ICPC has praised the ruling as a victory in the fight against corruption and a deterrent to individuals involved in fraudulent practices.