Indian Man Jailed Over N816M Fruad

By Felix Kuyinu

A rulling at the High Court in Lagos has jailed one Chandra Singh for indulging in fraud to the tune of N816,361,386.

At the proceeding on Thursday, Singh was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Justice Ismail Ijelu, who delivered the judgment said that the convict was proven guilty on charges of bribery and retention of stolen property.

While initialy arraigning the lawbreaker on a 19-count charge in November 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleged that Singh solicited an undue advantage for his company, CVN Engineering Limited, to commit the offence while working at African Natural Resources and Mines Limited.

EFCC submitted that the Indian influenced the awarding of a ₦365,757,457.00 supply contract to CVN Engineering Limited. The Commission also accused him of a separate offence with Neo Paints Nigeria Limited, by unlawfully awarding a ₦243,141,638.75 contract to the company.

Additionally, the offender was said to have dishonestly retained the sum of $4,150 belonging to his employer.

The anti-graft agency prosecution led by Bilikisu Buhari presented nine witnesses and documentary evidence to prove Singh’s involvement in the fraudulent transactions.

After reviewing the case, Justice Ijelu found him guilty on counts 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, sentencing him to 10 years in prison without the option of a fine. The court also ordered him to pay ₦345,000,000 in restitution to his victim.