The Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted Hilary Ogbobe, overturning his conviction and seven-year prison sentence over a ₦12 million dredger transaction.
A three-member panel unanimously held that the prosecution failed to establish beyond reasonable doubt that Ogbobe obtained the money by false pretence or dishonestly stole it.
Justice Joseph Eyo Ekanem delivered the judgment.
Ogbobe had been convicted by the Lagos State High Court in May 2023 and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment for obtaining money by false pretence and three years for stealing, with the terms running concurrently.
The dispute arose from money provided in connection with the proposed purchase of a scrap dredger said to have been offered for sale by the Lagos State Government.
The appellate court also set aside a ₦10 million loss-of-profit award previously made in favour of the complainant.
The decision illustrates the appellate court’s role in independently reviewing whether every essential element of a criminal charge was proved to the required standard.
Appeal Court Acquits Man Jailed Over N12m Deal
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SOURCE: P.M. News
