On Monday, September 22, 2025, the Ilorin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) successfully secured a conviction against Mr. Goni Yilkan, a former legislative aide and banker. He was found guilty of fraudulently obtaining N120.5 million through deceit before Justice F. E. Messiri at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Jabi, Abuja.
Originating from Nguru in Yobe State, Yilkan faced charges on two counts of obtaining money by false pretences, violating Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. The court sentenced him to eight years imprisonment without the option of a fine, in accordance with Section 1(3) of the same legislation.
Yilkan was initially charged alongside Mohammed Adamu in October 2023 after a thorough investigation was launched following a complaint from a victim who alleged being defrauded by the accused.
The complainant revealed that between 2020 and 2021, Yilkan misled her into believing he could secure employment opportunities within key government bodies such as the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). Relying on this false assurance, she collected various sums from over 60 job applicants, totaling N120,580,550, which she then transferred to Yilkan.
Despite these payments, no job placements were ever provided, prompting the complainant, Mrs. Hindatu Bello, to report the matter to the EFCC.
One of the formal charges stated: “Between January 3, 2020, and December 2021, within Abuja’s jurisdiction, you, Mohammed Goni Yilkan, Mohammed Adamu, and others, with intent to defraud, obtained N120,580,550 from Mrs. Hindatu Bello by falsely claiming the ability to secure employment for her candidates in various Federal Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, knowing this to be untrue, thereby committing an offence under Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
During the trial, the prosecution, led by Cosmas Ugwu, presented six witnesses and submitted documentary evidence. The defense, represented by J.A. Oguche, called two witnesses, including Yilkan himself.
Justice Messiri ruled that the prosecution had established the case beyond reasonable doubt, resulting in Yilkan’s conviction. However, his co-defendant, Adamu, was acquitted and discharged. The court imposed an eight-year jail term on Yilkan without the option of a fine.
Yilkan’s incarceration stems from his fraudulent scheme of collecting N120.5 million from hopeful job seekers under the pretense of securing employment slots, a promise he never fulfilled nor refunded.
