Pascal Arogorn Ibe
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it has secured the conviction and sentencing of two lawyers , Sogo Akinola and Feranmi Akinluyi for their involvement in fraudulent activities.
The EFCC , in a statement by its Head, Media and Publicity , Mr . Wilson Uwujarem , recalled that the convicts were arraigned sometime in October 2018 on three counts bordering on conspiracy , obtaining money by false pretences and stealing to the tune of N 24m .
The two lawyers were convicted and sentenced on Thursday to two years in prison by Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos .
One of the counts read , “ That you , Sogo Akinola and Feranmi Akinluyi, between 13th October , 2016 and 13th November, 2016 at Lagos , within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court , with intent to defraud , obtained the sum of N 24 million from Olawale Oyetunde , under the pretence that the money was part-payment for the purchase of property at 21, Adegbenle Street, Chevy View Estate, off Chevron Drive, Lekki Lagos , which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1( 3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No . 14 of 2006. ”
The defendants had pleaded “ not guilty ” to the charge preferred against them , thereby leading to their full trial
The prosecution , through its counsel , Spiff Owede , called five witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence by the court .
Delivering her judgment , Justice Taiwo found the defendants guilty of the offence and sentenced them to two years imprisonment each , with an option of fine of N 1m .
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