..JAMB Assures Justice In 15-year Old Data Protection Violation Case
A Grade One Area Court has convicted Mr. Ezechinoso Augustine, the owner of a CBT (Computer-Based Test) centre, for various charges including registration infraction, concealment, breach of trust, and theft.
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The case was brought before the court on Monday, 6th February, 2024.The accused, who operates a CBT centre in Onitsha, was charged with criminal breach of trust, concealment, registration infraction (cheating), and theft.
The First Information Report (FIR) presented in court stated that Mr. Ezechinoso had signed and collected a customised and sensitive registration material from the Anambra State Office of the Board on 26th January, 2024.
However, instead of using it for its intended purpose, he concealed it with the intention to defraud the Board and acquire a second material to further his fraudulent activities at the CBT centre.
During the investigation, Mr. Ezechinoso falsely claimed that the material he had collected was not functioning and denied having any registration materials in his possession.
However, it was later discovered that he had indeed concealed the material, leading to the charges against him.
The prosecuting counsel, Mr. Olisaemeka Okeke, informed the court that the suspect had pleaded guilty to the charges.
On the other hand, the defendant’s counsel, Barrister Pere Adge, argued that Mr. Ezechinoso, being a Nigerian, may have been driven by the prevailing circumstances to commit the infractions without intending to cause harm.
Additionally, Barrister Adge highlighted that the accused was a first-time offender and requested the court to show leniency.After considering the arguments, the presiding judge, Hon. Aliyu Ibrahim Kagarko, found Mr. Ezechinoso guilty of the charges.
The judge ordered that he be remanded at Nasarawa correctional centre until Thursday, 8th February, 2024, when the judgement would be delivered.
However, the case could not be heard on the scheduled date on account of unforeseen circumstances and was postponed to the following day, Friday, 9th February, 2024.
The following day, the presiding judge found Mr. Ezechinoso guilty on all four counts citing the criminal breach of trust, which attracted nine-month imprisonment or 30 thousand naira fine and attempt to commit the offence of cheating, which attracts a six-month imprisonment or a fine of twenty thousand naira.
Ezechinoso was also found guilty of intent to conceal, which attracted three-month imprisonment term or the payment of a fine of ten thousand naira while the fourth count charge, which was theft, attracted eight months or an option of thirty thousand naira fine.
In its reaction, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) welcomed the judgement and warned would-be infractors to desist from their nefarious agenda or face the full wrath of the law.
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The Board also warned of the array of technological devices at its disposal and which had enabled real-time detection of infractions.
It, therefore, warned that it would not hesitate to wield the big stick on any person or groups, no matter how highly-placed, who might wish to undermine the Board.
The Board reassured the public that it would not leave any stone unturned to protect its systems and clients against any forms of violation. In another development, the Board has restated its zero tolerance for infractions of the nation’s statutes. It stressed that, as a regulatory agency, it does not condone any form of unwholesome practice capable of bringing its hard-earned integrity to disrepute.
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