A Nigerian man has gone viral after he chose to spend a year in prison after spending part of N1.5 billion that was accidentally sent to him.
If you’ve ever had money accidentally drop into an account, be it a bank account, savings, or even PayPal, it can cause a fair amount of stress. You’re better off returning it than holding onto it.
However, over in Nigeria, Ojo Eghosa Kingsley decided to spend the money after it dropped into his account. Kingsley, however, didn’t just receive a small chunk of change.
According to the Nigerian Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, he received N1.5 billion into his account, which is around $1.1 million dollars.
Man spending year in jail after accidentally receiving money
As per the police’s report, the money had been split into different accounts, some in the name of Kingsley himself, and others belonging to his mother and sister. After entering a guilty plea, he was offered a one-year prison sentence or a fine of N5 million – around $35,000.
Kingsley chose to spend a year in prison over the erroneously accredited money, also promising to “be of good behaviour going forward.” He was ultimately charged with “one count of bordering on stealing” by the EFCC.
He was also ordered to return the money, in which prosecutors noted that he had spent some of it already – as well as transferring it through different accounts. The bank had managed to recover almost the full amount, save for a few thousand Naira.
Kingsley’s story has gone viral on social media, with many jokingly agreeing that they’d do the same thing if such a large sum ended up in their bank account.
“Seems like a good trade-off to me,” one commented. “Ima get the best year of sleep EVER,” added another. “Take me to my cell,” another chimed in.
