-
74 Years Man Jailed Over for ₦360m Theft in Lagos
-
Convicted on 32 counts, must refund ₦215m in 30 days
-
Court allows fine option only after refund is complete
Justice Josephine Oyefeso of the Lagos State High Court in Ajah has sentenced Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness to 74 years in prison for defrauding a businessman of ₦360 million and issuing multiple dud cheques.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Natasha Speaks On Her Relationship With Tinubu’s Govt
- Chelsea Sign Portuguese Midfielder Dario Essugo in €22.3m Deal
- Mother of Six Resists Leaving Home After Divorce Ruling
EKO HOT BLOG reports that the verdict, delivered on Tuesday, concludes a nine-year legal battle that began in June 2016 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Goodness on 33 counts bordering on fraud, stealing, and issuing false financial instruments.
According to the EFCC, Goodness fraudulently converted ₦360 million belonging to one Henry Nnadike between June and July 2015 in Ikeja.
The charge read in part: “That you, Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness, sometime between the months of June and July 2015 at Ikeja… fraudulently converted and stole the sum of ₦360,000,000.00… and committed an offence of stealing by conversion contrary to Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.”
Goodness pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution, led by T.J. Banjo, called four witnesses and submitted multiple documents as evidence.
After reviewing the case, Justice Oyefeso convicted the defendant on 32 of the 33 counts. He was acquitted only on the charge relating to possession of fake documents.
The judge handed down the following sentences:
-
7 years imprisonment on count 1 (stealing)
-
2 years each on counts 3 to 32 (issuance of dud cheques)
-
7 years on count 33 (fraud-related offence)
All sentences are to run concurrently, resulting in an effective prison term of 7 years.
Justice Oyefeso also ordered Goodness to refund ₦215 million to his victim within 30 days. The court ruled that the convict may only be considered for a fine if the refund is made in full.
Advertise or Publish a Story on EkoHot Blog:
Kindly contact us at [email protected]. Breaking stories should be sent to the above email and substantiated with pictorial evidence.
Citizen journalists will receive a token as data incentive.
Call or Whatsapp: 0803 561 7233, 0703 414 5611
