Delta State High Court, Asaba has sentenced a JAMB official, James Orji Ihejirika to eight years imprisonment for stealing the Board’s E-facility cards and change of course cards worth ₦12.5 million.
Ihejirka was an accountant working at the Asaba JAMB office. He received consignments containing E-facility cards and change of course cards worth N12.5 million from JAMB headquarters but instead of handing over to his state coordinator, he sold them and converted the money to his personal use.
He was charged under section 19 of the Corrupt Practices And Other Related Offences Act 2000, and section 386 of Criminal Code laws of Federation 2004 for corruptly conferring unfair advantage upon himself.
Mrs. Iwoba Ogochukwu appeared for Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, (ICPC) while Mrs. Lilian Otoma, represented the defendant.
In his defence, Ihejirika claimed that he sold the whole products to a man who was operating a cyber cafe and the man later swindled him. He could not trace the man and does not have any record of him or his contact.
The judge, Justice F.N Azinge did not believe his defence as the prosecution proved that the products were not meant to be sold to any other person other than intending JAMB candidates who will process them for their exams.
THE SUN, NIGERIA
