An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday sentenced one Musa Jimoh to one year and four months imprisonment for defrauding hospital staff of N8 million.
Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced Jimoh after he pleaded guilty to the sole charge of possession of fraudulent documents levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Oshodi, in his judgment, held that the circumstances of the case were particularly grave as Jimoh’s conduct indicated a calculated and sophisticated approach to criminality that warrants serious consideration by the court.
According to him, what makes this offence especially egregious is its genesis within a hospital setting.
He said the convict’s method demonstrated careful premeditation, presenting himself as a captain in the Nigerian Army attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser.
The judge said the false representation not only deceived his victims but struck at the heart of public confidence in the military institutions.
The court said that the materials in the convict’s possession, purported EFCC candidates list, fabricated application forms, and most notably, a counterfeit Nigerian Army identity card bearing his photograph with the rank of Major, demonstrated considerable technical sophistication.
Oshodi said: ” “Your admission to creating these documents using computer equipment in Kogi State reveals your enterprise’s geographic scope and technical nature.
“Your subsequent conduct has only compounded the gravity of your offence.
“You absconded after being granted administrative bail in 2020, necessitating your re-arrest on Aug. 19.
“This behaviour demonstrates a patent disregard for the administration of justice and requires the additional deployment of law enforcement resources.”
The court also noted the convict’s acceptance of responsibility but stressed the gravity of his offence and disregard for justice.
“I have considered your counsel’s submission for a non-custodial sentence but must reject it.
“Accordingly, I sentence you to one year and four months imprisonment.
“You shall also be registered in the Offenders’ biometrics scheme maintained by the Lagos State Judiciary.
“The manager’s cheque submitted as Exhibit F be used as restitution for Olajire and his colleagues,” the judge said.
Earlier, an operative of EFCC, Mr Saidu Abubakar, in the review of facts, told the court how the incident began at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, where Jimoh had sought medical attention for his wife.
Abubakar said that the convict encountered a healthcare worker in LASUTH, one Mr Yusuf Olajire (the petitioner), who had attended to the convict’s wife.
The witness said following his wife’s discharge, Jimoh embarked upon an elaborate deception, presenting himself as a captain in the Nigerian Army attached to the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“Jimoh claimed to possess sufficient influence to secure positions within several prestigious institutions, the Nigerian military, Customs Service, Immigration Service, and facilitate admissions to the Nigerian Defence Academy.
“The convict’s representations proved compelling enough to attract the interest of both the petitioner and his colleagues, who sought opportunities for their family members.
“Evidence showed that a total sum of N8 million was paid into various accounts provided by the convict, with additional sums paid in cash.
“When the convict became unreachable, the petitioner was compelled to file a petition in EFCC, leading to Jimoh’s initial arrest on March 4, 2020,” Abubakar said.
The EFCC investigator further told the court that Jimoh absconded following his release on administrative bail.
“The authorities subsequently tracked and re-arrested him on Aug. 19.
“Upon re-arrest, investigators discovered several incriminating items including a purported list of successful EFCC candidates, fraudulent EFCC application forms, and a Nigeria customs service appointment letter in the name of one Khadijah Musa Ometere.
“Others were a counterfeit Nigerian Army identity card bearing the defendant’s photograph with the rank of Major,” Abubakar said.
Abubakar said the offences contravened Section 320 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.
