Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court of Lagos State, has convicted husband and wife, Augustine Ezeama and Juliet Ezeama for a $120m fraud.

The couple was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 16, 2016 over the alleged fraud.

The EFCC said the couple had on May 6, 2015, obtained $30,570 from a firm, CIFERCOM LLC under the pretext that the money was for registration of CIFERCOM LLC as a company in Nigeria preparatory to the award of an $8m contract to CIFERCOM LLC by the Federal Government.

The defendants were charged on seven counts offenses bordering on conspiracy, fraud and obtaining money under false pretences.

They both pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them by the antigraft Agency. The development which made EFCC on the charges.

During trial, the EFCC called six witnesses and tendered several documents exhibits to proof the case against the couple, which were admitted by the court.

In his judgement, Justice Hakeem Oshodi found the couple guilty of the charges and convicted them accordingly

The prosecuting counsel was absent in court and the counsel for the second defendant, G.A. Adewunmi pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Adewunmi said, “This is a first time offence of the defendants and they have realized their mistake. The second defendant, Juliet Ezeama has been coming to court since when she was arrested on September 8, 2016.

“They are parents who also have children that need parental care, I plead the court to have mercy on them.”

The counsel for the first defendant, Mr. A. Adepoju also pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy.

Justice Oshodi thereafter adjourned the matter until July 7, 2022 for sentencing.

Source: Top Court News Nigeria