A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ajah has sentenced a 45-year-old businessman, Chukwudi Goodness, to 74 years imprisonment after he was found guilty of stealing N360 million and issuing 31 dud cheques. The judgment, delivered on Tuesday, concluded a protracted legal battle that spanned nearly ten years.
Justice S. I. Sonaike delivered the verdict after the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt. Goodness was convicted on multiple counts, including obtaining money under false pretenses, stealing, and issuance of cheques that were dishonored due to insufficient funds. The offences were committed over several years, involving multiple victims who were misled into financial transactions that ultimately led to significant losses.
READ ALSO: #Prison Break: FG Will Pardon Escaped
According to the court proceedings, Chukwudi Goodness, operating under the guise of legitimate business dealings, obtained large sums of money from individuals and companies, falsely promising investment returns. However, investigations revealed that the funds were never used for the stated purposes, and the cheques issued as repayment guarantees repeatedly bounced due to a lack of funds in the defendant’s accounts.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which prosecuted the case, presented documentary evidence and witness testimonies confirming that Goodness systematically defrauded his victims. The EFCC charged him with 36 counts related to stealing, fraud, and issuance of dud cheques, to which he pleaded not guilty throughout the trial.
The trial, which began in 2015, experienced several delays due to adjournments, changes in legal representation, and the defendant’s alleged attempts to evade court proceedings. However, the prosecution remained consistent in its case, eventually securing a conviction on the strength of its evidence.
During sentencing, Justice Sonaike emphasized the gravity of the crimes and the damage done to the victims, many of whom suffered significant financial hardship as a result of their dealings with the convict. The judge noted that the sentence was intended not only as punishment for Goodness but also as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to commit similar crimes.
The 74-year sentence was broken down across multiple counts, with several of the sentences ordered to run concurrently. While this means that the actual time Goodness may spend in prison could be less than the total sentence, the conviction nonetheless represents one of the most significant white-collar crime judgments delivered in the Lagos judiciary in recent years.
Court officials confirmed that no restitution order was made, but the EFCC stated it is exploring avenues for asset recovery to compensate the victims. The Commission also reiterated its commitment to combating economic crimes and protecting the integrity of Nigeria’s financial system.
Following the judgment, Chukwudi Goodness was immediately taken into custody to begin serving his sentence at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre. His legal team has indicated plans to appeal the conviction, arguing that the court erred in its interpretation of some aspects of the evidence.
Despite the anticipated appeal, legal analysts note that the conviction sends a strong signal about the judiciary’s increasing willingness to tackle complex financial fraud cases and hold perpetrators accountable. The case also highlights the growing role of investigative agencies like the EFCC in uncovering and prosecuting long-term fraudulent schemes in the business community.
