An Abuja High Court sitting in Maitama, has sentenced a 53-year-old estate consultant, Kayode Adeniji, to 14 years imprisonment for breach of trust.
Adeniji was arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2015, 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.
They were also charged with receipt under false pretext, theft, fraud and conspiracy.
During the trial of the case, the court heard 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.
Delivering his judgment Justice Yusuf Halilu held that the prosecution had proved its case against the defendants beyond all reasonable doubts.
He also held that the convicts, particularly the first defendant, acted contrary to the content of the Memorandum of Understanding between him and the owner of the land as it concerned the said property and that the acts carried out by the first defendant in selling the land were also criminal in nature thereby negating the agreement reached with the original owner.
The judge further held; “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.
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“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.”
He therefore found Adeniji guilty as charged and sentenced him and his two companies to 14 years and six months imprisonment respectively, to serve as deterrent to others.
Adeniji is to serve his jail term which will run concurrently in Suleja Prison.
