Ebonyi Man Sentenced to 18 Months in Jail for Issuing Fake Land Documents

A magistrate court sitting in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state capital has sentenced one Mr. Michael Iro to one year and six months in prison for impersonation, conspiracy and intent to defraud people by opening and operating an unlicensed survey office.

Mr. Micheal Iro was arrested by the taskforce of the council of surveyors of Nigeria, Ebonyi state chapter in his office located at Ohaozara where it has been established that he collects money from unsuspecting clients and issues fake land documents, including power of attorney and survey papers to them at meager amounts.

In a landmark judgement delivered by Snr. Magistrate Nnenna Ukpabi the court ruled that the defendant was found guilty of the three count charges of impersonation, conspiracy and Fraud for operating illegal survey office an offence punishable under sections 516 and 108 of the criminal code of Ebonyi state and pronounced a lenient sentence of one year and six months.

Reacting to the judgement, the surveyor general of the State Dr. Igbede John described the judgement as a major step towards stalling the activities of quacks in the State and called on other illegal operators in the State to desist from the act or risk legal actions and further advised the general public to verify the professional surveyors in their service to avoid being defrauded.

In an interview, the prosecuting counsel Mr. James Ogbuinya lauded the court for the judgement and described it as a major step in getting the society rid of quackery and shortcut mentality.

Also reacting, the defense counsel Mr. D.P Nworie expressed dissatisfaction with the judgement and noted that it was delivered based on sentiments formed by underlying biases expressing confidence for a better result in appeal.

Snr. Magistrate Nnenna Ukpabi further ordered that the convict Mr Michael Iro be remanded in the correctional facility with immediate effect..

(NEWMAX NIGERIA)