Justice R. A. Osodi of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, has convicted and sentenced a businessman, Kolawole Erinle, to 12 years imprisonment for $1.4m fraud.
During cross-examination by the prosecution, Erinle admitted that he was an ex-convict in the United States where he had spent 23 months in prison.
According to a statement signed by the acting Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Dele Oyewale, on Friday, Erinle and his company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Limited, were first arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court on March 11, 2022.
Though he pleaded “not guilty”, the trial could not be concluded before the retirement of Justice Taiwo, thereby prompting the re-assignment of the case to Justice Oshodi.
He was subsequently re-arraigned on October 28, 2022, before Justice Oshodi on three counts of charges bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of $1,410,000.
After the prosecution had closed its case, Erinle took to the dock to defend himself. Led in evidence by his counsel, Lawal Pedro, SAN, he denied the allegations brought against him by the prosecution.
Delivering judgment on September 26, 2023, Justice Oshodi declared the defendant and his company guilty as charged and also held that the prosecution effectively proved the case against them beyond every reasonable doubt.
“I have considered the fact that notwithstanding your prison term, which you have confirmed to me as sentencing for 23 months, you have not changed. I have considered the preceding as aggravating factors. You also told me that you are sorry, but I do not believe that you are genuinely remorseful, but you have said it.”
Thereafter, Justice Oshodi sentenced him to five years on count two, and 12 years on count three. The sentences are to run concurrently from February 10, 2023, when he was remanded by the court.
