The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has secured the conviction of one Onwuka Lambert and two others before Justice Abubakar Talba of the FCT High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja, on a four-count charge bordering on Criminal conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.
Others who were arraigned alongside Lambert were Omuchunu Monday and Munir Adamu. Their arraignments followed a complaint from Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) alleging that they forged a Re-instatement letter in respect of 50, Cadestral Zone BO3, Wuye District, Abuja.
The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them.
In proof of its case, the prosecution presented seven witnesses and closed its case on June 5, 2012. After an overruled no-case submission made by the 1st defendant, he testified for himself as the sole witness in his defence and closed his case on December 13, 2016.
Meanwhile, the 2nd and 3rd defendants jumped bail and all efforts made by the Commission to find them, proved abortive. The prosecution however prayed the court to use its discretion to continue with the trial in their absence which was granted.
In line with the prayers of the prosecution, Justice Talba convicted Onwuka on three counts and discharged him on one while Omachunu and Adamu were convicted in absencia on two counts of Conspiracy and forgery and their sentences reserved pending when they are arrested or surrenders themselves to the custody of the court in line with Section 352(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
Lambert was sentenced to seven years imprisonment without option of fine for obtaining the sum of N500,000 from one Engr. Nicholas Agomuo by false pretence, seven years imprisonment with option of fine of N50,000 for Criminal Conspiracy and seven years imprisonment with option of fine of N50,000 for the offence of forgery. The sentence is to run concurrently.
