15th October, 2018
An FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, on Monday, sentenced a 53-year-old estate consultant, Kayode Adeniji, to 14 years imprisonment for breach of trust.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had in 2015, arraigned the convict alongside his two companies, Kabriel Global Concept Ltd and Milde Landmark Venture Ltd, on a five-count charge that bordered on criminal breach of trust.
The first defendant and his accomplices were among others, also charged with receipt under false pretext, theft, fraud and conspiracy.
The prosecution had told the court that the offences contravened Sections 97, 312 of the Penal Code, and Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
According to the prosecution, the first defendant sold a parcel of land situated at Gwamripa area of the FCT, entrusted in his custody by his client, Mrs Christiana Gbenga in 2015.
Christiana is the wife of Mr Gbenga Makanjuola, Deputy Chief of staff to Senate President Bukola Saraki.
In his judgment, Justice Yusuf Halilu held that the prosecution had proved its case against the defendants beyond all reasonable doubts.
Halilu also held that the convicts, particularly the first defendant, acted outside the content of the Memorandum of Understanding between him and the owner of the land as it concerned the said property.
The Judge held that the acts carried out by the first defendant in selling the land were also criminal in nature which negated the agreement reached with the original owner.
“There is truly no part of the evidence before me suggesting the compliance with the agreement between the defendant and the nominal complainant in this case.
“There is however abundant evidence before me suggesting that the 1st defendant in collaboration with other defendants sold part of the plots in question to people and was paid various sums of monies being a consideration.
“It is also clear that the first defendant knew that the land does not belong to him and that exhibit `F’ never empowered him to divide the land into plots and sell same.
“I am also convinced from all the testimonies of the six principal witnesses; we live in a society where people simply act like gangster and semi-gods.
“Trust is a difficult game that only those who have the fear of God should play. The first defendant has clearly put himself in this embarrassing state,” Halilu said.
The Judge convicted and sentenced the first defendant, Adeniji and his two companies to 14 years and six months imprisonment respectively, to serve as deterrent to others.
According to the Judge, the first defendant shall serve his jail term in Suleja Prison and that the jail term shall run concurrently.