Man sentenced to 15 months imprisonment, N130,000 fine for defrauding Tony Elumelu grant seekers

Wadaji Lawan, an impersonator, was sentenced to 15 months in prison by Gombe State High Court Justice Daurabo Sikkam.

Lawan was charged with two counts of forgery and attempt to commit an offense against sections 95 and 362 of the Penal Code.

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said Lawan approached the public in February 2021, offering to obtain grants from the Tony Elumelu Foundation.

He allegedly made N2.5m from the scheme.

Following complaints about his activities, undercover operatives posing as interested parties gave him N10,000 each to register.

“Investigation revealed that Lawan and his cohorts used the Hausa/Fulani Progressive Development Association, Creative Global Technology, and Wul Nigeria Limited to commit the fraud.

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“The Tony Elumelu Foundation confirmed that neither the defendant nor his accomplices were alumni of the foundation. “The suspects were apprehended,” the statement said.

Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded guilty.

On count one, Justice Sikkam sentenced him to three months in prison and a N30,000 fine on count two.