Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has convicted and sentenced one Obinna Kingsley Anijiofor to nine years imprisonment for offences bordering on stealing and the issuance of dud cheques.
Anijiofor was arraigned on February 10, 2025, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on an amended three-count charge involving the sum of ₦9,500,000 (Nine Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) and $32,000 (Thirty-Two Thousand United States Dollars) part of a total $91,000 (Ninety-One Thousand United States Dollars) belonging to Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri.
According to the EFCC, the funds were entrusted to Anijiofor for the importation of goods, but he dishonestly converted part of the money to his personal use.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Obinna Kingsley Anijiofor, on or about the 31st day of December 2021, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without sufficient funds in your account with the United Bank for Africa, issued cheque number 0095976390, dated 3rd July 2022, for ₦6,000,000 (Six Million Naira) in the name of OKINGS IND SUPPLY LTD for the benefit of ELLIS SUITES LTD. Upon presentation for payment, the cheque was returned unpaid.”
Another count reads: “That you, Obinna Kingsley Anijiofor, and OKINGS Industrial Supply Limited, sometime in 2019 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly converted to your own use the sum of $32,000 (Thirty-Two Thousand United States Dollars), being part of $91,000 (Ninety-One Thousand United States Dollars) belonging to Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri, which was paid to you for the purpose of importing goods.”
Anijiofor pleaded not guilty to all charges, leading to a full trial.
The prosecution, led by M. K. Bashir called three witnesses and tendered several documents as evidence, while the defence called two witnesses.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Ijelu found the defendant guilty on all three counts.
The court subsequently sentenced him as follows: Two years imprisonment on count one for issuing a dishonoured cheque (without an option of fine); two years imprisonment on count two for issuing a dud cheque (without an option of fine) and five years imprisonment on count three for stealing (without an option of fine). The sentences are to run concurrently.
Additionally, the court ordered restitution of $32,000 to the complainant.
Anijiofor’s journey to the Correctional Centre started when he was arrested for dishonestly converting to his own use the sum of $32,000 (Thirty-Two Thousand United States Dollars), being part of $91,000 (Ninety-One Thousand United States Dollars) belonging to Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri, which was paid to him for the purpose of importing goods. He was charged to court and convicted.
