The Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced one Chukwudi Okonkwo Goodness to 74 years imprisonment for theft and issuance of dud cheques to the tune of N360,000,000.
Goodness was arraigned on June 6, 2016 on a 33-count charge by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and sentenced on Tuesday, 10th June 2025 by Justice Josephine Oyefeso.
According to one of the charges, the convict, some time in 2015, fraudulently converted and stole a property worth the said sum belonging to one Henry Nnadike, thereby committing an offence of stealing by conversion contrary to Sections 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
His pleading “not guilty” to the charges preferred against him led to his full trial, during which prosecution counsel, T.J. Banjo called four witnesses and presented several pieces of evidence to prove his case against the defendant.
Delivering judgment on Tuesday, Justice Oyefeso found Goodness guilty on 32 of the 33 counts and sentenced him accordingly.
The judge sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on count one of stealing and two years imprisonment on each of counts three to thirty-two for the issuance of dud cheques, without an option of fine.
The judge also sentenced him to seven years imprisonment on count 33, without an option of fine, but was however, discharged and acquitted on count two of possession of documents containing false pretence. The sentences are to run concurrently.
Furthermore, the judge ordered him to restitute the sum of N215 million within 30 days of the judgment and further held that he might be considered for a fine thereafter.
