TWO MEN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR N9M FRAUD, PROPERTY SCAM IN LAGOS
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
Justice Ismail O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court has sentenced two men, Kenneth Chukwuemeka Ajoku and Gregory Gyeburn Wongkyezeng, to ten years’ imprisonment each for defrauding a businessman of N9 million and a residential flat located in Festac Town, Lagos.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, July 3, 2025, the court found both defendants guilty on multiple counts of stealing and obtaining money and property by false pretence, in violation of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006 and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The trial, which restarted in May 2024, saw the prosecution, led by Franklin Ofoma, call two witnesses and tender 12 exhibits. The defence, headed by Professor Paul C. Ananaba (SAN), concluded its case in February 2025 with 27 exhibits.
Justice Ijelu ruled that the defendants engaged in a deliberate scheme to deceive Prince Okpara, the complainant, into handing over N9 million and a flat through false representations and abuse of trust.
On Count One (Stealing), the court sentenced both men to three years in prison with an option of N500,000 fine each, payable within six months. Failure to pay will result in full sentence enforcement.
On Counts Two and Four (obtaining money and property by false pretence), the judge imposed the statutory ten-year sentence without an option of fine, as mandated under Section 1(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act. However, the court ruled that Count Four would be subsumed under Count Two to avoid double punishment, as both stemmed from the same transaction.
In a significant directive, the court ordered restitution: Ajoku must repay N2.3 million, and Wongkyezeng is to return N9 million (less verified costs) to FMFL within six months. If both convicts comply, the court may reduce their ten-year sentences to seven years in recognition of remorse and efforts to remedy the fraud.
Justice Ijelu also ruled that no parole or remission would apply until at least seven years have been served, underscoring the gravity of the offence and the need to deter financial crimes.
The case, marked ID/7150C/2024, highlights the judiciary’s firm stance on fraud and its commitment to ensuring justice through due process and accountability.
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