COURT JAILS BUSINESSMAN NINE YEARS FOR $91,000 FRAUD, ISSUANCE OF DUD CHEQUES IN LAGOS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced a businessman, Obinna Kingsley Anijiofor, to nine years imprisonment for offences bordering on stealing and issuance of dud cheques.
Anijiofor was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, on an amended three-count charge involving the fraudulent conversion of ₦9.5 million and $32,000, both part of a $91,000 fund belonging to one Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri.
According to the EFCC, the complainant had entrusted the money to Anijiofor for the importation of goods, but the defendant diverted part of it for personal use.
One of the charges stated that Anijiofor, on December 31, 2021, in Lagos, issued a cheque of ₦6 million in favour of Ellis Suites Limited through his company, OKINGS Industrial Supply Limited, knowing he had insufficient funds with the United Bank for Africa (UBA). The cheque was later returned unpaid.
Another count accused Anijiofor and his company of dishonestly converting $32,000 part of the total $91,000 entrusted to him for their own use, contrary to the purpose of the import transaction.
Anijiofor pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial. Prosecution counsel, M.K. Bashir, called three witnesses and tendered several documents in evidence, while the defence called two witnesses.
In his judgment, Justice Ijelu found Anijiofor guilty on all counts and sentenced him to:
Two years imprisonment on count one for issuance of a dishonoured cheque (without an option of fine),
Two years imprisonment on count two for issuance of dud cheques (without an option of fine), and Five years imprisonment on count three for stealing (without an option of fine).
The sentences are to run concurrently, amounting to a total of nine years imprisonment.
The court further ordered Anijiofor to restitute $32,000 to the complainant, Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri, emphasizing that his conviction stemmed from fraudulent acts involving the issuance of dud cheques and unlawful conversion of funds meant for import transactions.
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