COURT JAILS 74-YEARS-OLD BUSINESSMAN FOR N360M FRAUD, DUD CHEQUES

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah has sentenced a 45-year-old businessman, Chukwudi Goodness, to 74 years imprisonment for stealing N360 million and issuing 31 dud cheques in a protracted fraud case dating back nearly a decade.

Justice Josephine Oyefeso delivered the judgment on Tuesday, convicting Goodness on 32 of the 33-count charge filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The EFCC had arraigned the defendant in June 2016 on charges bordering on stealing and issuance of dishonoured cheques, stemming from a fraudulent business deal with one Mr. Henry Nnadike, who lost N360 million in the scheme.

According to the anti-graft agency, the offences were committed between June and July 2015 in Ikeja, Lagos. One of the charges read:
“That you, Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness, sometime between the months of June and July, 2015 at Ikeja, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, fraudulently converted and stole the sum of N360,000,000.00 (Three Hundred and Sixty Million Naira), property of one Henry Nnadike, 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 the charges, prompting a lengthy trial that saw the EFCC present four witnesses and tender numerous documentary exhibits.

Justice Oyefeso held that the prosecution had successfully proven its case beyond reasonable doubt. Goodness was convicted on all counts except count two, which related to possession of documents containing false pretence. He was discharged and acquitted on that count.

The court sentenced him to seven years on count one (stealing), two years each on counts three to thirty-two (issuance of dud cheques), and seven years on count 33 (stealing). The sentences are to run concurrently, meaning he will serve a maximum of seven years in prison.

In addition to the prison term, Justice Oyefeso ordered Goodness to pay N215 million in restitution to the victim within 30 days. She also ruled that any application for a fine in lieu of imprisonment would only be considered upon full compliance with the restitution order.

The judgment marks a significant win for the EFCC in its ongoing fight against economic and financial crimes.