Ex-Legislative Aide Bags Eight-Year Jail Term for N120m Job Scam

The Federal Capital Territory High Court has sentenced former legislative aide, Goni Yilkan, to eight years in prison for defrauding jobseekers of N120 million under the guise of securing them employment in top government agencies.

Yilkan was found guilty on a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretence, following his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in October 2023 alongside Mohammed Adamu. The charges stemmed from a petition filed by Hindatu Bello, who revealed that between 2020 and 2021, Yilkan tricked her into believing he had the influence to facilitate job placements at the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

Bello said she raised and handed over N120,580,550 from 60 hopeful job applicants to Yilkan for the promised employment slots. However, no jobs were provided, prompting her to petition the EFCC.

The charge sheet detailed how Yilkan, Adamu, and others at large obtained the funds with fraudulent intent, in violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

Delivering judgment, Justice F. E. Messiri ruled that the EFCC had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. While Yilkan was convicted and handed an eight-year jail term without an option of fine, the court discharged and acquitted Adamu.