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 joint taskforce team of the Surveyors council of Nigeria, (SURCON) and the Nigerian institution of Surveyors Ebonyi State branch in his office located at Edda where it has been established that he collects money from unsuspecting clients and issues Fake SURCON Pillar/ Beacon numbers and SURCON seal 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 Forgery for operating illegal survey office and issuance of fake SURCON seal and plan number 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 alleged 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.
