The Lagos State High Court in Ajah has sentenced Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness to 74 years imprisonment for stealing and issuing dud cheques amounting to N360 million.
Justice Josephine Oyefeso delivered the judgment on Tuesday, convicting Goodness on 32 out of 33 counts brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The charges, filed in 2016, included stealing and the issuance of dud cheques.
The EFCC, through its Lagos Zonal Directorate 1, had accused Goodness of fraudulently converting the sum of N360 million belonging to one Henry Nnadike between June and July 2015 in Ikeja.
Following a full trial, during which the prosecution presented four witnesses and tendered multiple exhibits, the court found the defendant guilty on multiple counts.
Goodness was sentenced to seven years for the first count of stealing, two years each for counts three to thirty-two relating to issuance of dud cheques, and seven years for count 33. He was acquitted on count two, which involved possession of documents containing false pretence. All sentences are to run concurrently.
In addition to the prison term, the court ordered Goodness to restitute N215 million to the victim within 30 days. The court stated he may be considered for a fine only upon restitution.
