Justice Rahman Osodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced a businessman, Bernard Nzenwa, to four years and 11 months imprisonment for fraud.
Justice Oshodi convicted the businessman of a one count charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Lagos Zonal Directorate.
The businessman was charged to court alongside his company, Omega Maritime and Energy Limited, for a lone charge bordering on issuance of false documents on December 6, 2022.
The defendant, who also appeared for the company, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The commission alleged that Nzenwa alongside Omega Maritime and Energy Limited and Dr. Oluchi Nzenwa, now at large, issued false documents purported to have emanated from Guarantee Trust Bank plc (GTB)
Delivering judgment, Justice Oshodi pronounced the defendant and his company guilty as charged.
Justice Oshodi also held that the prosecution effectively proved the case against the convicts beyond reasonable doubt.
“I find the defendant guilty of false bound, false documents and fraudulent intent”, the judge held.
Justice Oshodi consequently sentenced him to four years and 11 months. The convict was however given an option of fine in the sum of N50 million only.
The company, Omega Maritime and Energy Limited, was fined N50 million, to serve as punishment and deterrent to others.