The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Makurdi Zonal Office on Friday March 26, 2021 secured the conviction of one Ahangba Bagudu before Justice J. M. Ijohor of the Benue State High Court sitting in Makurdi, on one count amended charge of dishonestly making false document.
The charge reads: “That you, Ahangba Bagudu, sometime on the 20th of November 2019, in Makurdi, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did dishonesty make a false document titled: APPOINTMENT AS A CONSULTANT FOR COLLECTION OF REVENUE ON INDUSTRIAL/COMMERCIAL GOODS TO FEDERAL MINISTRY OF INDUSTRIES, TRADE AND INVESTMENT IN BENUE STATE and addressed to the MD/CEO Chief B. Iorja and Sons Nig. Ltd., purporting same to have been signed by one Mallam Yakubu Umar, Director of Industry and Dr. Akintola D.K Director of Commerce, which you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 364 and punishable under Section 365 of the Penal Code cap. 124 (Revised Edition), Laws of Benue 2004.”
He pleaded ‘guilty’ to the charge.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, George Chia-Yakua, prayed the Court to convict and sentence him accordingly.
However, defence counsel, Akosu Terfa sued for mercy on the grounds that the defendant has no previous criminal record and has become remorseful.
Justice Ijohor pronounced Bagudu guilty and sentenced him to one year imprisonment with the option of N50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand Naira) fine.