Okpe Judge of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Nyanya in Abuja convicted and sentenced the landlord, Mercy Yusuf and her company TM Properties Limited.
She was sentenced to 24 years in prison for fraudulently obtaining $298,000 and N40 million from Bacab Properties Limited after claiming ownership of Plot 1721 Jahi District Cadastral Zone B08, Abuja.
On October 20, 2021, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Youssef on four counts of obtaining funds by false pretense, forgery and use of forged documents as genuine.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the trial to begin on February 1, 2022.
Prosecutors to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission called six witnesses and presented 14 documents that were admitted into evidence as documents.
The Defendants opened their defense on November 1, 2022, and Yusuf testified on behalf of herself and the second company TM Limited.
In delivering the judgment, Judge Okpe held that the prosecution had established the case against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt.
They were found guilty on all counts: 10 years in prison on the first and second charges, and 2 years in prison on the third and fourth charges for running simultaneously.
The court also ordered the two convicts to pay $298,000 in damages and $41 million to the nominal plaintiff.
Woman jailed for 24 years for $298k and N48m property fraud in Abuja
