Anti-graft War: EFCC Records 15 Convictions in Lagos

… Court Orders Fraudster to refund 100,000 Euros

A total of fifteen fraudsters have been sentenced to various jail terms by courts in Lagos on charges preferred against them by the Economic and Financial crimes Commission, EFCC.

One of the convicts, Gabriel Ogunniyi who was docked in 2005 by the EFCC on an eight count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment by Justice M.O. Obadina of the Lagos State High Court. He was found guilty on counts 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6 and jailed five years each. He was also found guilty on counts: 2, 7, and 8 and was jailed 10years, making a total imprisonment of 15 years. The sentence which is to run concurrently, takes a retroactive effect from November 24^th, 2005 when he was arraigned. 

Besides, Ogunniyi was also ordered to refund the sum of N288, 000.00 (Two hundred and eighty-eight thousand naira only) and E100, 000.00(One hundred thousand Euros) as restitution to his victim.

Also, the duo of Pastor Adekunle Ayodele Adeleke alias Otun Tiamiyu   Seriki and Kola Famoroti have been sentenced to 28 months imprisonment by a Lagos High Court.  They were arraigned on a four count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money under false pretences and impersonation. The verdict  was handed to the two convicted criminals by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole   who also ordered the convicts to pay restitution to their victim  by refunding the sum of  N20,000,000.00 ( Twenty million  naira only) being proceeds of their crime.  

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has equally sentenced one Adeniran Sikiru to three years imprisonment over forgery of foreign money order and cheques. Justice James Tsoho found him guilty of a three count charge preferred against him by the EFCC.  Another Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan , Oyo state also sentenced one Olusoji Abiodun Ilori to 12 months imprisonment having found him guilty of a two count charge bordering on forgery of foreign cheques and possession of counterfeit cheques. Justice Shakarho ordered that the sentence should take effect from January 2^nd, 2012.  

 In another development, two fraudsters were sentenced to 18 months imprisonment each by two Lagos State High Courts, sitting in Ikeja and presided over by Justice Lateefa Okunnu and Justice A. O. Opensanwo respectively. The fraudsters are  Briggs Austine Nwokolo and Femi Babatunde. Nwokolo was arraigned by the EFCC before Justice Okunnu on a two count charge bordering on conspiracy and attempt to obtain money by false pretence while Babatunde was docked before Justice Opesanwo on a three count charge bordering on conspiracy to forge and uttering. Both sentences are to run concurrently.

In similar vein, Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos High Court has slammed a three year imprisonment on one Adingupo Romeo who was found guilty of a 12 count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence and impersonation. In addition to the three years jail term, Justice Abiru ordered that the sum of E6, 829.00(Six thousand, eight hundred and twenty-nine Euros) be refunded as restitution to his victim.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has also sentenced one Stephen Osuji to one year imprisonment. Justice Idris found Osuji guilty of a 10 count charge bordering on conspiracy and possession of foreign counterfeit currency.  Similarly, one Abiodun Adebakin was sentenced to two years imprisonment by Justice Idris.  He was convicted of a three count charge bordering on forgery and counterfeiting of United States of American 100 dollar bill.  

Also, one Stephen Adeoye sentenced was to three years imprisonment by Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos State High Court.  He was arraigned on a seven count charge bordering on stealing by the EFCC. Besides his 3 years jail term, the judge also ordered him to pay a restitution of N11million (eleven million naira only) to his victims. 
Justice Onigbanjo also convicted one Gerald Emeka Obielom.  Obielom was jailed two years on an 11 count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences from one Paul Okoli and Team.   

Other convictions include Kalu David Emole and Rufai Adebayo Lukman who were sentenced to one and half years and six months imprisonment respectively by Justice Okunnu and Justice Abiru of the Lagos High Court. Both were convicted on charges bordering on conspiracy and attempt to obtain money under false pretences.