The Chief Magistrate Court No. 1 has ordered the remand of a suspected internet fraudster in police custody pending the arrival of the Presiding Chief Magistrate from pilgrimage in Makkah.
The 23 years old Damilola Victoria Akinnawonu was earlier arraigned before the Chief Magistrate Adamu Abubakar on three count charges which bordered on criminal breach of trust, cheating and criminal misappropriation.
According to the police First Information Report, marked MM/CR/41b/ 2/023, made available in court and obtained by Newsline Newspaper in Minna, the three count Charges contravened sections 312,323 and 309 of the penal code law.
Damilola Victoria was arrested by the Operatives of the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) of the Niger State Police Command, following a report lodged by one Emmanuel Jibogun of Bosso Estate in Minna that the defendant deceitfully and with the intent to defraud them, introduced an online business to her victims.
“She advertised various items for sale such as: Iphone, sewing machine, Keke NAPEP, washing machine, electronic gadgets, and she made them pay the amount for the item they needed with a promise to make available the items paid for within two months.
"Based on the above, the nominal complainants and 142 others, made huge monetary payments for various items in the sum of above N150, 000,000 million.
"And that upon receipt of the money you Daramola Victoria Akinnawonu failed and deliberately refused to supply the goods paid for despite repeated demands.
“Police detectives swung into action and arrested Damilola Victoria Akinnawonu and during police investigation, it was revealed that you confessed to the commission of the above crime and converted the same to your own personal use" the first Information Report stated.
The overseeing Chief Magistrate, Hajiya Fati Hassan Umar, gave the order in her ruling on the application made by the counsel to the defendant, Barrister Jerry Ekeh.
Earlier, the Police Prosecutor Abdullahi Mayaki Asp had told the court that he wished to apply for the withdrawal of the first Information Report that the defendant was arraigned in court with on the ground that more facts emanated from the police investigation.
At this point, the counsel to the defendant Barrister Jerry Ekeh objected to the oral application of the police Prosecutor on the ground that the First Information Report should not be withdrawn as police shouldn't have arraigned his client in court " without completing their investigation. I objected to the application of the prosecutor", he told the Chief Magistrate.
Ruling on the objection of the counsel to the defendant, the overseeing Chief Magistrate Hajiya Fati Hassan Umar overruled, and ordered that the defendant should be remanded in correctional custody pending the arrival of the Chief Magistrate; and she adjourned the case to July 27, 2023.
The 45-year-old Sani Abubakar is to spend 10 years in a correctional centre after he was found guilty of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old minor under his care.
A special warrant Chief Magistrate Sa'adatu Abubakar Gambo, who handed down the sentence Friday, described the convict as a betrayer of trust.
The said Abubakar Sani was earlier arraigned by the police after a complaint was lodged at the Niger State Child Rights Agency, on the 3rd of September, 2021, by one Mohammed Naibi of Type B Quarters in Minna that the convict has lured the minor who is under his care into his room and sexually assaulted her severally.
"Upon the receipt of the report, the Director General of the state Child Rights Agency, then invited the police to effect his arrest."
According to the police prosecutor, Inspector Ahmed Jibrin, Sani Abubakar was arraigned under section 18 (2) of the Child Right Law of Niger State 2010.
Since his arrest and arraignment in court, Sani Abubakar has been in correctional custody as a result of the heinous nature of the crime he committed against the minor under his care as her guardian.
While passing her judgement, the Chief Magistrate noted that the sentence will serve as a deterrent to him and other guardians like him, who are in the habit of betraying the trust bestowed on them.
"This punishment is to serve as a deterrent to you and other guardians like you who are fond of betraying the trust bestowed on them, and taking advantage of fiducial relationship of trust between them and their female wards under their care, as a protector to his minor.
"It is disheartening and unfortunate that the convict was so insensitive toward his 12 years old ward under his care. You are hereby sentenced to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine. The sentence will serve as a deterrent to you and others of like minds," she ruled.
