Businessman Gets 6 Years Imprisonment For Stealing N225M

ABUJA, June 21, (THEWILL) - It was pain and anguish for Ifeanyi Paddy Eke, a 39-year-old fraudster as he was convicted and sentenced to six years imprisonment by Justice Olubummi Oyewole of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, for stealing.

Eke, a Computer Science graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State was a former employee of Diamond and Platinum Banks respectively before he resigned his appointment and went into private business.

Eke, who was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in May 2009 for stealing and issuance of Dud Cheque on a two-count-charge was convicted on the two counts by Justice Oyewole. Eke and his company Black Berry Nigeria Limited was said to have on or about the 9th of April 2008 at Apapa, Lagos issued a United Mortgage Limited/Diamond Bank cheque for the sum of N225 million to Petrostar Nigeria Limited which was presented for payment but was dishonoured on the ground that there was no sufficient money in his account.

He was also said to have fraudulently converted to his personal use the sum of N225 million, property of Petrostar Nigeria Limited, thereby committing an offence contrary to section 390 of the criminal code laws cap C 17 Vol 2 laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

Although he pleaded not guilty to the offences then, he was convicted based on the overwhelming evidence presented by the EFCC counsel, George Adebola.

Although the defence counsel pleaded for mercy for his client, Justice Oyewole convicted and sentenced the accused person to 2 years imprisonment for issuance of dud cheque and 6 years imprisonment for stealing. However, the sentence is the run concurrently.

The judge said convicting the accused person would serve as a deterrent to other Nigerians who may want to engage in such fraudulent activity. He also stated that the offence of the accused person was capable of bringing ridicule to Nigeria among the comity of nations. He said the accused did not show any remorse during his trial as he failed to remit the money to the complainant. The judge also ordered the accused person to pay back the money to the victim.

Also a Federal High Court in Lagos has issued an order giving the Commission right to attach any property belonging to the accused person. Already, the Commission has attached the posh property of Eke located at Wuse 2, Abuja.