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A Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue State, has sentenced Agene Johnson Godwin, the Managing Director of Builderstech Solution Ltd, to 48 years imprisonment without the option of fine for masterminding a massive investment scam that defrauded over 5,000 unsuspecting victims of more than N500 million.
Delivering judgment on the amended eight-count charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Justice M.S. Abubakar convicted Godwin on all counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and other financial crimes.
According to details of the case, Godwin lured thousands of individuals into investing in his company with promises of high returns through various fictitious investment schemes operated under Builderstech Solution Ltd. Victims, drawn largely from Benue State and surrounding areas, were induced to part with substantial sums ranging from modest contributions to significant life savings, only to discover later that the promised profits and capital returns were nonexistent.
The EFCC investigation revealed a well-orchestrated fraud scheme in which Godwin allegedly used the funds for personal aggrandizement while maintaining a façade of legitimate business operations. Prosecutors presented overwhelming evidence, including victim testimonies, bank records, and documentary proof of false representations, which ultimately led to the conviction.
In handing down the sentence, Justice Abubakar emphasized the gravity of the offence, describing it as a brazen exploitation of public trust and a serious threat to economic stability. The court noted that the absence of an option of fine underscored the need for a deterrent punishment capable of sending a strong message against financial crimes of this magnitude.
The 48-year jail term, to run concurrently on the various counts, marks one of the stiffest sentences handed down in recent EFCC prosecutions in the North-Central region for investment-related fraud.
The EFCC, through its official channels, has urged members of the public to remain vigilant against similar schemes and to verify the legitimacy of any investment opportunity before committing funds. Further details of the case, including background information and related stories, are available on the commission’s official website at www.efcc.gov.ng.
This landmark conviction is seen as a significant win for anti-corruption efforts in Benue State and a boost to public confidence in the justice system’s ability to tackle large-scale economic crimes.
