A Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has sentenced Nasiru Ogara, a businessman, to 14 years’ imprisonment for his involvement in a N24.3 million fraud case. Justice Mojisola Dada convicted and sentenced Ogara for three of the four-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and issuance of dud cheques filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
According to reports, the businessman committed the offences on December 17, 2017, alongside his company, New Age Motor Waste Basket Ltd. Ogara had allegedly induced Usman Ademoye, Director of Kelly Newton Nigeria Limited, to deliver 8,000 units of waste bins worth N5.2 million, with the understanding that the waste bins would be paid for. The convict had also induced Ademoye to deliver copies of Kogi State Vehicle Consolidated documents worth N19.1 million to him, with the understanding that the papers would be paid for.
In her judgment, Justice Dada held that the prosecution effectively proved the offences filed against the businessman and his company. She sentenced Ogara to 14 years imprisonment on counts one and two, while he was jailed for two years on count three. However, the judge discharged the defendants on count four. The sentences will run concurrently, and a fine of N15 million was imposed on the convict’s company for counts one to three.
In addition, the judge directed that the company be wound up, its assets sold, and the proceeds used to pay the complainant. The court also ordered the convict to pay the sum of N24.3 million as restitution to the complainant.
Cases of fraud are taken seriously in Nigeria, and the EFCC has been working tirelessly to bring offenders to justice. This conviction sends a strong message to other fraudsters that the law will catch up with them.