Aviation Ministry Staff Convicted for Forgery and Fake Job Scam
BY Chizoba Njaka
The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) announces the successful conviction of Elvis Simon Okerenyi, an employee of the Federal Ministry of Aviation, following a thorough investigation and prosecution on allegations of forgery and issuance of spurious employment offers.
According to an official statement issued by Demola Bakare, Director of Public Enlightenment and Education and Spokesperson for the ICPC, investigations revealed that Elvis Simon Okerenyi allegedly defrauded Titus Tavershima of N1,000,000.00 in exchange for promised employment in the Federal Civil Service. This offense contravenes Section 320 of the Penal Code and is punishable under Section 322 of the Penal Code, Cap 532, Laws of the Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria, 2006.
A plea bargain agreement was reached between the defendant and the prosecution, pursuant to which the original seven-count indictment was amended to a single-count charge, whereupon the defendant entered a plea of guilty.
Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty to the amended charge, whereupon Justice S.C. Oriji of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) delivered a conviction in accordance with Section 270(10) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA). The court's judgment included a sentence of one year imprisonment, commutable to a fine of N200,000.00, and a directive for the convict to make restitution in the sum of N350,000.00 to Titus Tavershima, the victim of the offense.