Court Jails Man 74 Years Over N360m Fraud
Justice Josephine Oyefeso of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah, Lagos, on Tuesday, convicted and sentenced one Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness to 74 years imprisonment for stealing and issuance of dud cheques.
The convict was arraigned on June 6, 2016 on a 33-count charge bordering on stealing and issuance of dud cheques to the tune of N360 million by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The offence was committed between the months of June and July, 2015 at Ikeja, when he fraudulently converted and stole the sum of N360 million property of one Henry Nnadike, contrary to Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
When his plea was taken, Chukwudi pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
During the trial, prosecution counsel, T.J. Banjo called four witnesses and presented several pieces of evidence to prove his case against the defendant.
Delivering judgment on June 10, 2025, Justice Oyefeso found him two counts and sentenced him seven years imprisonment on count one for stealing, and two years imprisonment on each of counts three to thirty-two for the issuance of dud cheques.
He was not given any option of fine.
The judge, however, said that the sentence is to run concurrently.
The convict was ordered pay N215 million within 30 days as restitution, and risks more years if he miss the deadline.
