A Dei-Dei Grade 1 Area Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, sentenced a 40-year-old estate agent, Esther Usman, to nine months’ imprisonment for cheating his client to the tune of N250,000
The Judge, Mr Saminu Suleiman convicted Usman, a resident of Tunaga-maji, Zuba, Abuja, on a two-count charge of breach of trust and cheating following her guilty plea.
Suleiman, however, gave her an option of N30,000 fine, and ordered her to pay N200,000 as compensation to the complainant.
Suleiman said that the punishment would have been stiffer if the convict had not saved the court’s time by admitting guilt.
He warned her to desist from crime.
Earlier, the prosecutor, Mr Olanipekun Babajide, told the court that the complainant, Mr Onuiabo Samson of Madalla, Abuja, reported the case at the Zuba Police Station on March 8.
Babajide said that, on Feb.21, the complainant gave N250,000 to the convict to secure an apartment for him at Tungamaje in Abuja
He said that the convict failed to rent the apartment or refund the money but converted it to her personal use, in contravention of Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.