EFCC Secures Conviction Of 15 Fraudsters In Lagos
LAGOS, July 11, (THEWILL) - A total of 15 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, after he was pronounced guilty of counts 1, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and jailed five years each.
He was also found guilty of counts 2, 7, and 8, and was jailed 10 years, making a total imprisonment of 15 years. The sentence which is to run concurrently, takes a retroactive effect from 24th November 2005 when he was arraigned. Ogunniyi was also ordered to refund the sum of N288, 000.00 and €100,000 as restitution to his victim.
Similarly, 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 down to the two convicted criminals by Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, who also ordered the convicts to refund the sum of N20,000,000, being proceeds of their crime, to their victims.
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 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 2nd January 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 €6, 829 be refunded as restitution to his victim.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos 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.
Another criminal, 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.
Stephen Adeoye was sentenced 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 three-year jail term, the judge also ordered him to pay a restitution of N11million to his victims.
Justice Onigbanjo also convicted one Gerald Emeka Obielom. He 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 those of 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.