The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Monday secured the conviction of Faith Opara for obtaining N3.8million by false pretence.
Ms. Opara pleaded guilty on arraignment and was immediately convicted by Justice M.L Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, but reserved sentencing to March 17.
The convict had approached the complainant with the idea that there was an ongoing Federal Government Empowerment Programme from the office of the former first lady, Patience Jonathan, under the umbrella of Centre for Global Peace Integrity and Development, a Non-Governmental Organization, belonging to the accused.
The unsuspecting applicants then paid as much as N100, 000 each, totalling N3.8million with the false hope of taking all participants to South Africa.
Before the conviction, the prosecuting counsel, H.O. Anaso, tendered various exhibits before the court, which were all admitted and marked as such.
But the defence counsel, J.C Odo, on the other hand prayed the court to temper justice with mercy, since her client had shown enough remorse to the state and commission.
Source: Premium Times