Justice K.A. Jose of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Tapa has convicted and sentenced five persons to seven years’ imprisonment each over a fraud case involving approximately ₦117.7 million and Chi Limited.
Those convicted are Yinka Salawu, Joshua Oluremi Daramola, Raji Ahmed, Afolabi Israel Olusegun and Muraina Olanrewaju Abdullahi.
They were prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on charges bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence and forgery.
The prosecution’s case included an allegation that the defendants obtained ₦81,359,922 from Chi Limited in 2009 on the representation that the money was for goods and services supplied to the company.
During the trial, prosecutors called 17 witnesses drawn from the EFCC, Nigeria Police Force, banking institutions and Chi Limited, while documentary exhibits were also tendered.
Justice Jose convicted five defendants on Counts One, Two and Three, while three other defendants were discharged and acquitted.
Each convict was sentenced to seven years without an option of fine, with the court directing that time already spent in custody be credited against the sentence.
The judge also ordered restitution to Chi Limited, with any money previously recovered or paid to be deducted from the outstanding sums.
The decision closes a significant stage in a prosecution arising from transactions dating back more than a decade.
Source: Lawhauz
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