Posted by Samuel on Fri 28th Feb, 2025 - tori.ng
Justice I.O. Ijelu delivered the verdict on Thursday, February 27, 2025, following a trial that lasted over two years.
An Indian national, Chandra Singh, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.
He was convicted and sentenced to prison for procurement fraud.
Justice I.O. Ijelu delivered the verdict on Thursday, February 27, 2025, following a trial that lasted over two years.
Singh was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 24, 2022, on a 19-count charge bordering on the retention of stolen property and bribery, amounting to ₦816,361,386.75 (Eight Hundred and Sixteen Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty-Six Naira, Seventy-Five Kobo).
One of the charges stated that Singh, while employed by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, solicited an undue advantage for his company, CVN Engineering Limited, by influencing the award of a supply contract worth ₦365,757,457.00.
Another count alleged that he similarly influenced the award of a contract worth ₦243,141,638.75 to Neo Paints Nigeria Limited.
Additionally, Singh was accused of dishonestly retaining $4,150 belonging to African Natural Resources and Mines Limited.
Singh pleaded "not guilty" to all charges, leading to a full trial.
The prosecution, led by Bilikisu Buhari, presented nine witnesses and tendered several pieces of documentary evidence to prove the case against him.
In his judgment, Justice Ijelu found Singh guilty on counts 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, sentencing him to 10 years imprisonment without an option of fine.
The court also ordered Singh to make restitution of ₦345 million to his victim.