A Grade One Area Court sitting at Aco Estate, Abuja, has convicted a CBT centre owner, Mr. Ezechinoso Augustine, of registration infraction, concealment, breach of trust and theft.
Ezechinoso, a resident of Onitsha, Anambra State, was
accused of signing and collecting
a customised and sensitive registration material from the
Anambra State office of JAMB to enable him kick-start and activate the process
of UTME registration. Instead, he allegedly concealed it with intention to
defraud the board.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, JAMB, which
revealed this in a statement on Sunday, expressed happiness over the court
action, vowing that it would follow up the prosecution of the case of the
reported violation of the data protection right of a 15-year-old candidate by
an agent of a CBT Centre currently before a Lagos Court.
The board assured the parents of the 15 year old girl and
other concerned Nigerians involved that justice would be served accordingly.
Explaining more on the conviction of Mr. Ezechinoso
Augustine, JAMB in the statement by its spokesman, Fabian Benjamin, said, “When
the case came up for hearing on Monday, 6th February, 2024, the accused, who
operates a CBT centre in Onitsha, was charged with criminal breach of trust,
concealment, registration infraction(cheating) and theft.
“The FIR reads in parts: cheating, intent to conceal theft
contrary to Section 311, 391 and 286 of the Penal Code, “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.
“The FIR continued, “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,” the FIR stated.
“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.”
The statement added, “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.”
In another development, JAMB restated its zero tolerance for
infractions of the nation’s statutes. It stressed that, as a regulatory agency,
it does not condone any form of unwholesome practice capable of bringing its
hard-earned integrity to disrepute.
To this end, it vowed to “follow up the prosecution of the
case of the reported violation of the data protection right of a 15-year-old
candidate by an agent of a CBT Centre currently before a Lagos Court and
assured the parents of the 15 year old girl and other concerned Nigerians
involved that justice would be served accordingly. “