An Abakaliki Magistrate Court has sentenced Michael Iro to one year and six months in prison for impersonation, conspiracy, and attempting to defraud the public by running an unauthorized survey office.
Iro was arrested at his Edda-based office by a joint task force from the Surveyors Council of Nigeria (SURCON) and the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, Ebonyi State branch. Authorities found that he had been collecting payments from unsuspecting clients and providing them with fake SURCON pillar/beacon numbers and seals.
In her ruling, Senior Magistrate Nnenna Ukpabi convicted Iro on three charges—impersonation, conspiracy, and forgery—stating that his actions violated Sections 516 and 108 of the Ebonyi State Criminal Code. Despite the severity of the offenses, the court issued a relatively mild sentence of 18 months.
Following the verdict, Ebonyi State Surveyor General, Dr. Igbede John, commended the judgment as a significant move toward eliminating fraudulent survey practices. He urged illegal practitioners to cease their activities or face legal consequences and advised the public to verify surveyors’ credentials before engaging their services.
The prosecution’s counsel, James Ogbuinya, praised the ruling, describing it as a step toward curbing quackery in the profession. However, defense counsel D.P. Nworie expressed dissatisfaction, claiming the judgment was influenced by bias and expressing confidence in a successful appeal.
Magistrate Ukpabi also ordered Iro’s immediate transfer to a correctional facility to begin his sentence.
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