Justice Lateef Lawal-Akapo of the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere on Tuesday convicted and sentenced an Indian, Sandeep Gogia to 22 years imprisonment for defrauding a Nigerian company, Boars Communication Limited of the sum of 250,000 US dollars.
Justice Lawal-Akapo handed down the verdict after he found Gogia and his company, Eastern Metal Limited guilty of three count charge of conspiracy, obtaining under false pretence brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The convict committed the offence while he was the Chief Operating Officers (CEO) of Eastern Metal Limited sometimes on July 2015.
The anti-graft commission had told the court that Gogia and one Arun Goswani, said to be at large, defrauded their victim of the sum of 250,000 US dollars under the false pretence of having naira equivalent of the amount.
The offence is contrary to Section 15 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
The EFCC also maintained that offence contravene section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related Offences Act No 14, 2006.
Justice Lawal-Akapo sentenced the convict to seven years imprisonment on the charge of conspiracy and 15 years on the second count charge of obtaining money by false pretence.
The judge held that the sentence is to run concurrently from October 25, 2018.
The court, however, freed him on the third count charge of stealing.
He further ordered the convict to pay restitution of N59,750 million to the victim.
The court also ordered that the second defendant, Eastern Metals Limited be wind up and the asset be forfeited to the Federal government.”
