LAGOS, Nigeria — A Lagos High Court sitting in Ajah has sentenced Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness to 74 years in prison for stealing ₦360 million and issuing multiple dud cheques in a case filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Justice Josephine Oyefeso delivered the judgment on Tuesday, bringing to a close a trial that began in June 2016.
The defendant was convicted on 32 out of 33 counts brought against him, after being arraigned on charges bordering on theft, fraudulent conversion, and issuance of dishonoured cheques.
According to the EFCC, Goodness fraudulently converted funds belonging to one Henry Nnadike between June and July 2015.
The offence, outlined in the charge sheet, violated Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
“That you, Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness, sometime between the months of June and July, 2015 at Ikeja, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court, fraudulently converted and stole the sum of ₦360,000,000.00, property of one Henry Nnadike,” the charge read in part.
Goodness pleaded not guilty throughout the trial.
The prosecution, led by counsel T.J. Banjo, presented four witnesses and multiple pieces of documentary evidence to substantiate the charges.
After nine years of legal proceedings, Justice Oyefeso sentenced the defendant to seven years imprisonment for count one relating to theft.
For counts three through 32, which pertained to the issuance of dud cheques, Goodness was sentenced to two years each without the option of a fine.
On count 33, he received another seven-year sentence, also without an option of a fine.
He was, however, discharged and acquitted on count two, which involved possession of fake documents.
The judge ruled that the sentences would run concurrently, meaning Goodness will serve a maximum of seven years in prison.
In addition to the custodial sentence, Justice Oyefeso ordered the convict to refund ₦215 million to the victim within 30 days.
She further held that the court may consider the option of a fine only after the refund has been made.
