* Source : 123RF.com
Story By Gbenga Ogunbufunmi
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos today sentenced a business man, Chris Okoroigwe to seven years inprisonment for defrauding a business women Mrs Oghenewaire Udoko of the sun of N24. 35million , the court also wound up his company, Qihengchris Industry Limited and forfeited his assets to the Federal Government.
The convicts were said to have perpetrated the fraud under the guise of supplying her ²2.128 kilogrames of Donkey hide and skin.
According to the one count charge filed and argued by Mr E. A Jackson, prosecution’ counsel from the Police anti Special Fraud Unit, SFU, Alagbon, Lagos, the convicts , Chris Okoroigwe and his company, Qihengchris Limited were said to have on or about February 22, 2017 at Yaba , Lagos within the jurisdiction of the court , with intent to defraud , induced one Mrs Oghenewaire Udoko, to confer benefit on the first convict, by seeking to be delivered to him ,22.128 kilogrames of Donkeys’ hide and skin valued at N24.35m through false representation to her that he is ready, prepared and willing to pay for the goods at the said price once he took delivery of same and based on that understanding the goods were delivered to him , but after taking delivery, he refused to pay for the goods .
The offence committed by the convits’ according to the charge is said to be contrary to Section 1(2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Act, 2006, and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act
During the trial, the prosecution’ called two witnesses the fraud victim and the police investigation Officer, IPO,.
Delivering judgement today Justice Ayokunle Faji held that from all evidence before the court, he is of the view that the prosecution has proved its case against the defendants’ beyond reasonable doubt.
While reviewing the case, Justice Faji said the first defendant’ in his testimony while not denying the existence of the transaction, said the skin were seized by the custom, but failed to produce any documentation to that effect
Justice Faji added that he is of the view that the convicts from onset of the agreement, did not wish to to pay for the hide and skin but only fraudulently induced his victim to obtained the property from her.
The court said the frequent changes by the first convict in the price agreed and his refusal to pay at all, as well as his refusal to be evasive to both his victim and the police when invited , shows the fraudulent intention of the convicts.
Consequently, Justice Faji sentenced the convit to seven years inprisonment
Apart from the seven years inprisonment handed down in the first convicts the court also windup the second convict, Qihengchris Industry Limited and ordered the forefieture of company’s assets to the Federal Government if Nigeria,
Justice Faji further ordered that the two Convicts should pay the sum of N24.35m to their victim , Mrs Oghenewaire Udoko as compensation .
