A Grade One Area Court in Abuja’s Aco Estate convicted Mr. Ezechinoso Augustine, the proprietor of a CBT facility, of registration infringement, concealment, breach of trust, and theft.
Ezechinoso, a resident of Onitsha, Anambra State, was accused of signing and receiving a customised and sensitive registration document from the Anambra State JAMB office in order to kick-start and activate the UTME registration process. Instead, he reportedly hid it with the purpose to deceive the board.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, which announced this in a statement on Sunday, expressed pleasure over the court decision, saying that it would follow up on the prosecution of the case of the claimed infringement of a 15-year-old candidate’s data protection right by an agent of a CBT Centre currently before a Lagos Court.
The board informed the parents of the 15-year-old girl and other concerned Nigerians that justice would be delivered appropriately.
In a statement issued by JAMB spokesman Fabian Benjamin, the accused, who operates a CBT centre in Onitsha, was charged with criminal breach of trust, concealment, registration infraction (cheating), and theft.
According to the FIRS, the acts violate Sections 311, 391, and 286 of the Penal Code.
FIRS also says the act is to cheat, with intent to conceal stealing, FIRS in its statement, says:
“That on 26th January, 2024 You, Mr. Ezechinoso, male of No. 28 Omonun street, Awada, Onitsha, Anambra State, signed and collected a customised and sensitive registration material from the Anambra State Office of the Board to enable you kick-start and activate the process of UTME registration.
“But instead concealed it with intention to defraud the Board, to enable you acquire a second one to complete your fraudulent activities at the CBT centre.
“You alleged also that the material you collected was not functioning. You lied and denied that you are not in possession of any for registration during interview: “It was later strongly revealed that you actually concealed the material thereby committing the above offences.
“According to the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Olisaemeka Okeke, who was holding brief for Mr. Stanley Nafoaku, the suspect had pleaded guilty to the charge.
“The defendant counsel, Barrister Pere Adge, however, pleaded that the accused was a Nigerian, who might have been prompted by the prevailing circumstances to commit the infractions without intent to cause damage or harm, and being a first-time offender, she pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.
“The presiding judge, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Kagarko, however, found the suspect guilty and ordered that he should be remanded at Nasarawa correctional centre till Thursday, 8th February, 2024, when judgement would be delivered.
“However, the case could not be heard on the scheduled date on account of unforeseen circumstances and was postponed to the following day, Friday, 9th February, 2024.
“The following day, the presiding judge found Mr. Ezechinoso guilty on all four counts citing the criminal breach of trust, which attracted nine-month imprisonment or 30 thousand naira fine and attempt to commit the offence of cheating, which attracts a six-month imprisonment or a fine of twenty thousand naira.
“Ezechinoso was also found guilty of intent to conceal, which attracted three-month imprisonment term or the payment of a fine of ten thousand naira while the fourth count charge, which was theft, attracted eight months or an option of thirty thousand naira fine.
“In its reaction, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) welcomed the judgement and warned would-be infractors to desist from their nefarious agenda or face the full wrath of the law.
“The Board also warned of the array of technological devices at its disposal and which had enabled real-time detection of infractions.
“It, therefore, warned that it would not hesitate to wield the big stick on any person or groups, no matter how highly-placed, who might wish to undermine the Board.
“The Board reassured the public that it would not leave any stone unturned to protect its systems and clients against any forms of violation.”
cc: Vanguard Ng
