The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday secured the conviction of one Onwuka Lambert and two others before Justice Abubakar Talba of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gudu, Abuja on the charges of criminal conspiracy, forgery and obtaining by false pretence.

Other defendants are Omuchunu Monday and Munir Adamu.

Their arraignment followed a complaint from Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) alleging that the accused forged a Re-instatement letter in respect of 50, Cadastral Zone BO3, Wuye District, Abuja.

The trio pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In proof of its case, the prosecution presented seven witnesses and closed its case on June 5, 2012.

The first defendant testified for himself as the sole witness and closed his case on December 13, 2016. He made a no-case submission which was overruled.

The second and third defendants jumped bail and efforts by the EFCC to find them yielded no result. Consequently, the prosecution prayed the court to continue with the trial in the absence of the second and third defendants, which was granted.

Justice Talba convicted Lambert on three counts and discharged him on one, while Monday and Adamu were convicted in absentia on two counts of conspiracy and forgery.

The judge, however, reserved the sentencing of Monday and Adamu till when they are arrested or surrender themselves to the court in line with Section 352(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA 2015.

Consequently, Lambert was sentenced to seven years imprisonment without option of fine on count one, and seven years each with option of fine of N50,000 on counts two and three.

The sentences are to run concurrently.

Update news