By Felix Kuyinu
The High Court in Lagos has convicted a businesswoman, Oluremi Philips, for her involvement in fraudulent activity.
Philips, on Thursday, was arraigned at the court by the Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC. She was thereafter sentenced to 17 years in prison.
Before the pronouncement by Presiding Judge, Justice Ishmael Ijelu, the EFCC held that Philips defrauded one AYM Shafa Limited the sum of N57,670,000.
According to the anti graft Commission, the transgressor initially stood trial before Justice Sherifat Solebo at the Special Offences Court, Ikeja in July 2022. However, the trial could not be concluded due to the retirement of the judge, hence, leading to reassignment of the case to Justice Ijelu.
EFCC stated that the lawbreaker and her company, Omritas Energy Limited, sometime in 2016, dishonestly converted the sum which was meant for supply of Automotive Gas Oil to AYM Shafa Limited – the complainant, to her use.
The Commission also mentioned that Philips carried out the offence through her company by issuing a fake Diamond Bank cheque which was dishonored due to insufficient funds.
The convict alongside her company were charged on five counts bordering on stealing and issuing dud cheque. The offences were said to have contravened Section 285(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
Delivering the judgement, Justice Ijelu found Philips and her company guilty on all five counts.
The judge sentenced Philips to nine years in prison or an option of a N2m fine, payable within 90 days, in count one.
For counts two to five, the offender was sentenced to two years imprisonment each which is to run concurrently.
The court also fined Omritas Energy Limited, the sum of N250,000 on count one and N100,000 on each of counts two to five.
Justice Ijelu ordered the convicts to pay restitution of N57,690,000 to the complainant within 90 days.
