Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, has convicted and sentenced Obinna Kingsley Anijiofor to nine years imprisonment for offences relating to stealing and issuing dud cheques.
Anijiofor was arraigned on February 10, 2025, by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a three-count amended charge involving ₦9.5 million and $32,000, part of a total of $91,000 belonging to Obinna Kingsley Onwubuariri.
According to the EFCC, the funds were entrusted to Anijiofor for the importation of goods, but he allegedly converted part of the money for personal use.
One of the charges revealed that Anijiofor issued a ₦6 million cheque to Ellis Suites Ltd on July 3, 2022, which was dishonoured due to insufficient funds. Another charge accused him of dishonestly converting $32,000 in 2019, intended for importing goods, to his own use.
Anijiofor pleaded not guilty, prompting a full trial.
The prosecution, led by M. K. Bashir, called three witnesses and submitted several documents as evidence, while the defence presented two witnesses.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Ijelu found Anijiofor guilty on all counts.
The court sentenced him to two years imprisonment each on the first two counts for issuing dud cheques, and five years on the third count for stealing. The sentences will run concurrently, and Anijiofor is also ordered to restitute $32,000 to the complainant.
The EFCC noted that Anijiofor’s arrest and prosecution were part of ongoing efforts to hold individuals accountable for financial crimes and protect the public from fraudulent activities.
