A former Sterling Bank manager and OHHA Microfinance Bank Account Relationship Officer was sentenced to 18 years in prison for forgery and stealing N219 million.
After a 32-count charge prosecution, Mr. Oliver Anidiobi was sentenced on Tuesday, November 2, by Justice C. O. Ajah of the Enugu State High Court in Enugu.
The defendant used his position to persuade the microfinance bank to deposit the aforementioned sum through him.
To deceive the microfinance bank, he fixed the money in a fixed deposit account and forged a deposit certificate, while diverting the funds for personal use.
He used the money to construct a block of five flats, purchase several plots of land along the Enugu Port-Harcourt Expressway, purchase an unfinished four-bedroom bungalow in Centenary Estate, Enugu, and invest N65 million in a Ponzi Scheme called "Let's Partner with You" run by one Mr. Patrick Nwokike.
During his trial, prosecution counsel Michael Ani called 5 witnesses and presented 75 exhibits, while the defendant testified for himself.
Justice Ajah adjourned the last hearing on October 8, 2021, to November 2, 2021, for judgment.
The Judge ruled today that "the accused person did not deny or challenge the EFCC's allegations." Any evidence that is not challenged is accepted as true.
He used the money to construct a block of five flats, purchase several plots of land along the Enugu Port-Harcourt Expressway, purchase an unfinished four-bedroom bungalow in Centenary Estate, Enugu, and invest N65 million in a Ponzi Scheme called "Let's Partner with You" run by one Mr. Patrick Nwokike.
During his trial, prosecution counsel Michael Ani called 5 witnesses and presented 75 exhibits, while the defendant testified for himself.
Justice Ajah adjourned the last hearing on October 8, 2021, to November 2, 2021, for judgment.
The Judge ruled today that "the accused person did not deny or challenge the EFCC's allegations." Any evidence that is not challenged is accepted as true.
"I have a legal obligation to establish the evidence presented by the prosecution. The evidence is strong and compelling enough to support a conviction."
As a result, Justice Ajah convicted and sentenced Oliver Anidiobi to four years in prison on counts 1-14 without the option of a fine, four years on counts 15-17, and eight years on counts 28-32 without the option of a fine. The sentences must run in the same order.
An estate valuer will assess the defendant's properties in his village, Centenary City, Enugu, and Premier Layout, New Artisan, Enugu in order to determine their values so that they can be sold and the proceeds paid in restitution to the OHHA microfinance bank.
As a result, Justice Ajah convicted and sentenced Oliver Anidiobi to four years in prison on counts 1-14 without the option of a fine, four years on counts 15-17, and eight years on counts 28-32 without the option of a fine. The sentences must run in the same order.
An estate valuer will assess the defendant's properties in his village, Centenary City, Enugu, and Premier Layout, New Artisan, Enugu in order to determine their values so that they can be sold and the proceeds paid in restitution to the OHHA microfinance bank.
Disclaimer: Comments and opinions on any part of this website are the opinions of blog commenters or anonymous individuals, and do not reflect Strenuous Blog position.