A Kano State High Court has convicted and sentenced Ebonine Rita Uzoamaka to seven years in prison for fraudulently obtaining N5.6 million under false pretenses. Justice Maryam Sabo delivered the judgment in Kano, finding the defendant guilty of dishonestly misappropriating funds after promising to supply baking powder products she never delivered.
The court also granted the convict an option to pay a fine of N500,000 in lieu of serving the full prison sentence. The conviction followed a trial in which prosecutors presented documentary evidence and witness testimony linking Uzoamaka to the fraudulent scheme.
Uzoamaka was first arraigned on August 18, 2021, on five counts of dishonest misappropriation totaling N5.66 million. The charges were brought under the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006, a key Nigerian law designed to combat financial crimes and fraudulent business transactions.
Prosecutors alleged that the defendant intentionally deceived her victim by falsely claiming she could supply large quantities of D-Rich baking powder. Financial fraud cases involving fake supply contracts have remained a persistent concern in Nigeria, particularly in commercial hubs where trust-based transactions are common.
The fraudulent transaction occurred on January 18, 2021, within the jurisdiction of the Kano State High Court. According to court records, Uzoamaka obtained N2 million from Ochayi Anthony Eneche, which was paid into her Access Bank account. She had claimed the payment was for 500 cartons of baking powder that she promised to supply.
Investigators later determined that the claim was false and that no such supply arrangement existed. Authorities found that after receiving the funds, Uzoamaka failed to deliver the promised goods and instead diverted the money for personal use.
At her arraignment, Uzoamaka pleaded not guilty to all five charges, prompting a full trial. The prosecution, led by Salihu Sani, presented four witnesses and submitted multiple documentary exhibits to support the case.
The evidence included bank records, transaction details, and other documentation establishing the flow of funds into the defendant’s account. The court admitted these materials as evidence during proceedings.
Uzoamaka testified in her own defense but did not call additional witnesses.
The trial focused heavily on establishing intent to defraud, a key requirement under Nigeria’s fraud laws. Prosecutors argued that the defendant knowingly misrepresented her ability to supply baking powder in order to obtain payment.
Justice Sabo reviewed the witness testimonies and documentary evidence before concluding that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court found that Uzoamaka deliberately deceived her victim and unlawfully converted the funds to personal use.
In her ruling, Justice Sabo convicted the defendant on all five counts. The judge imposed a seven year prison sentence but allowed an alternative fine of N500,000.
The judgment marked the conclusion of a legal process that began with Uzoamaka’s arrest following complaints that she failed to fulfill a supply contract despite receiving full payment.
The case underscores ongoing efforts by Nigerian courts to address financial fraud and enforce accountability in commercial transactions. Authorities have intensified prosecution of advance fee fraud cases in recent years amid concerns about their impact on business confidence and economic stability.
The conviction serves as a warning to individuals engaged in fraudulent schemes and reinforces the judiciary’s role in protecting victims of financial deception. Legal observers say the ruling may also strengthen public confidence in the justice system’s ability to prosecute complex financial crimes.
