A Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwagwalada has sentenced Henry Udora, a staff member of the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS), to nine years imprisonment over an advance fee fraud case without option of fine.

Justice Maryann Anenih found him guilty in the charges of obtaining property by fraudulent intent and issuance of dud cheques brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Delivering judgment in the fraud charges, Justice Anenih found the convict guilty of using a company to defraud his victim of N12.5 million on the pretext of securing a plot of land contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud Prohibition and Prevention Act, 2003.

Udora was also found guilty of issuing a dud cheque for the sum of N5 million to his victim when he knew he had insufficient fund in his bank account, contrary to Section 416 (g) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

After reviewing the charges and evidence of the two witnesses that testified in the trial, the judge found the convict guilty of advance fee fraud.

He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in the advance fee fraud offence and another two years in the charge of issuing dud cheque.

Justice Anenih however ordered that the sentences should run concurrently meaning that the convict will serve seven years in jail.

A plea by his lawyer, Osita Ibekwute for clemency on ground of being a first offender was rejected by the judge who stated that there was no provision for court discretion in the Advance Fee Fraud Act.

Besides, counsel to the EFCC, Victor Ughagwu had informed the judge that the convict still had series of petitions against him running into millions of maira.

Justice Anenih in response said that cases of advance fee fraud especially on Abuja land have become matters of grave concern and a serious menace in Nigeria.

The judge said that victims suffer grievous injuries, making it imperative that advance fee fraud must not be encouraged or treated with levity.