A Special Offences Court in Ikeja, has sentenced a Fraudster, Charles Ihenetu to 15 years’ imprisonment for N16million petroleum fraud.
Delivering judgment Justice Mojisola Dada held that Ihenetu, based on the evidence before the Court, was a pathological liar, whose testimony in the dock and documents tendered by the defence showed that everything was calculated to swindle the victim in a non-existent transaction.
Justice Dada also held that the Court was satisfied that the prosecution had proved the charges beyond reasonable doubts and sentenced him to 15 years imprisonment from the date of his remand, May 16, 2018.
The court ordered that the company be wound up and that no property should be left.
Justice Dada further ordered that the sum of N16million be restituted to the victim
The convict was arraigned before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on three counts of conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence.
He was arraigned alongside his firm, V-Choice International Company Nigeria Limited.
He was said to have defrauded a Businessman, Emmanuel Amechi by deceiving him into investing the said sum in a petroleum business deal.
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According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ihenetu deceived the victim that bonny light crude was onboard a vessel, Kaveri Spirit, bound for Ghana from Nigeria.
The offences are contrary to Section 8 (a) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, No 14, 2006.
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges prompting a full trial, which commenced on July 1, 2018.
During trial in proven the case, the prosecuting counsel, led by A.B.C. Ozioko called four witnesses and tendered several documentary evidence against the defendants.
After the prosecution had closed its case, the defence filed a “no-case” submission, which was later dismissed by the Court.
He was, therefore, ordered to open his defence.
The defence, subsequently, called only one witness which is the convict, Ihenetu.
