A Lagos High Court sitting at Ikeja has jailed Patrick Chibueze Ezeji, to two years imprisonment for stealing the sum of $32, 220 USD from a Canadian lady, and Ossai Cyril Azuka, five years for stealing bank depositors’ money.
Ezeji was found guilty on two count-charges, bordering on conspiracy to steal and actually stealing; offences that are punishable under sections 516 and 390 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C17 Vol.2 of Lagos State 2003.
The particulars of his offences as stated by the EFCC prosecutor was that Ezeji sometime between the month of February and July 2010 within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud, conspired to steal and actually stole the sum of $32,220USD –thirty two thousand, two hundred and twenty US Dollars from Sheila Lynn Griffiths, a Canadian Lady.
While pleading for leniency before the judge’s judgment, the defence counsel to the defendant, Mr. Victor Okpara pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy on the grounds that the defendant was a first offender and has never been convicted; an assertion which the EFCC prosecution counsel confirmed.
He stressed that the defendant was young man with more promising years ahead. He informed the court that he had just been offered admission to study Political Science at the National Open University and had paid back $2,232 being part of the money stolen.
Okpara added that the defendant was a skilled graphic artist known around the prison environment where he had been detained since December 3, 2012. He said above all, that the defendant saved the court’s time by pleading guilty to the offence and under plea bargain agreed to pay back the money.
In her judgment, the presiding judge Kudirat Jose (Mrs.) said that she noted the plea of the defence counsel. However, the defendant must be punished to deter other youths from taking to crime.
He was to serve two years in prison starting from the date of judgment, while the father guaranteed to pay the balance through EFCC to the victim.
On the other part, Ossai Cyril Azuka was found guilty of stealing by fraudulent conversion; an offence contrary to section 285 (9)(b) of the Criminal law of Lagos State 2011.
The particulars of his offence read that between December 13, 2011 and December 13, 2013 at Corestep Microfinance Bank Isolo within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud, knowingly and fraudulently converted the sum of Two Million, nine hundred and twenty seven thousand eight hundred and eighty four naira, eighty eight kobo, which sum represent the deposits of customers of Corestep Microfinance Bank Limited.
Azuka was a marketer as at the time of committing the offense.
Meanwhile, the defense counsel, Mr. Victor Okpara pleaded with the court to have mercy on the defendant. He reminded the court that his chambers took over the case on pro bono because the defendant was stranded and could not afford a lawyer.
Moreover, he told the court that the defendant was a graduate of Zoology from Delta State University. And that even though it was wrong, that the defendant actually used the money to treat his ailing mother and had actually paid back two hundred thousand naira being part of the money misappropriated.
But in her ruling, Hon. Justice Kudirat Jose said that youths should not get involved in crime no matter the pressure, which was why she had to punish the offender.
She therefore sentenced him to five years imprisonment starting from April 2013 when he had been in custody and permitted EFCC to trace and froze his assets.
Ezeji was found guilty on two count-charges, bordering on conspiracy to steal and actually stealing; offences that are punishable under sections 516 and 390 of the Criminal Code Law Cap C17 Vol.2 of Lagos State 2003.
The particulars of his offences as stated by the EFCC prosecutor was that Ezeji sometime between the month of February and July 2010 within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud, conspired to steal and actually stole the sum of $32,220USD –thirty two thousand, two hundred and twenty US Dollars from Sheila Lynn Griffiths, a Canadian Lady.
While pleading for leniency before the judge’s judgment, the defence counsel to the defendant, Mr. Victor Okpara pleaded with the court to tamper justice with mercy on the grounds that the defendant was a first offender and has never been convicted; an assertion which the EFCC prosecution counsel confirmed.
He stressed that the defendant was young man with more promising years ahead. He informed the court that he had just been offered admission to study Political Science at the National Open University and had paid back $2,232 being part of the money stolen.
Okpara added that the defendant was a skilled graphic artist known around the prison environment where he had been detained since December 3, 2012. He said above all, that the defendant saved the court’s time by pleading guilty to the offence and under plea bargain agreed to pay back the money.
In her judgment, the presiding judge Kudirat Jose (Mrs.) said that she noted the plea of the defence counsel. However, the defendant must be punished to deter other youths from taking to crime.
He was to serve two years in prison starting from the date of judgment, while the father guaranteed to pay the balance through EFCC to the victim.
On the other part, Ossai Cyril Azuka was found guilty of stealing by fraudulent conversion; an offence contrary to section 285 (9)(b) of the Criminal law of Lagos State 2011.
The particulars of his offence read that between December 13, 2011 and December 13, 2013 at Corestep Microfinance Bank Isolo within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud, knowingly and fraudulently converted the sum of Two Million, nine hundred and twenty seven thousand eight hundred and eighty four naira, eighty eight kobo, which sum represent the deposits of customers of Corestep Microfinance Bank Limited.
Azuka was a marketer as at the time of committing the offense.
Meanwhile, the defense counsel, Mr. Victor Okpara pleaded with the court to have mercy on the defendant. He reminded the court that his chambers took over the case on pro bono because the defendant was stranded and could not afford a lawyer.
Moreover, he told the court that the defendant was a graduate of Zoology from Delta State University. And that even though it was wrong, that the defendant actually used the money to treat his ailing mother and had actually paid back two hundred thousand naira being part of the money misappropriated.
But in her ruling, Hon. Justice Kudirat Jose said that youths should not get involved in crime no matter the pressure, which was why she had to punish the offender.
She therefore sentenced him to five years imprisonment starting from April 2013 when he had been in custody and permitted EFCC to trace and froze his assets.
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