Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced Alhaji Nasiru Adinoyi Ogara, a retiree of the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), to 16 years imprisonment for N24 million fraud. Ogara, alongside his company, New Age Motor Waste Basket Limited, were prosecuted by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and issuance of dud cheques to the tune of N24 million.
Ogara had pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges when he was first arraigned in February 2018. However, in the course of the trial, the prosecution called two witnesses who tendered several documents that were admitted by the court as exhibits against the defendant. The victim also testified as the first prosecution witness. Subsequently, the defense opened its case with Ogara testifying as the first defense witness and denying the allegations. Two other witnesses were also called in his defense, through whom several documents were tendered.
In his final written address, the defense counsel, Yekeen Kolawole, urged the court to hold that the prosecution failed to prove the case and that “no prima facie case has been made against the defendants.” On the other hand, the prosecution counsel, N.K. Ukoha, in his final written address, urged the court to hold that the prosecution effectively proved its case against the defendants and requested for their conviction.
Delivering judgment, Justice Dada held that the prosecution effectively proved the ingredients of the offences filed against the defendants. Ogara was pronounced guilty on counts one to three and was sentenced to 14 years in prison on counts one and two, and two years on count three. The sentences are to run concurrently. However, he was discharged on count four.
Furthermore, New Age Motor Waste Basket Limited was fined N15 million (N5 million on counts one to three). The court also ordered the winding up of the company with its assets to be sold, and the revenue used to pay the fine.
This judgment serves as a reminder that fraudulent activities will not be tolerated by the law, and those found guilty will face the full consequences of their actions. The EFCC continues to work tirelessly in its efforts to combat economic and financial crimes in Nigeria, and this conviction is a significant milestone in its ongoing efforts to bring offenders to justice.
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