TWO VANGUARD NEWSPAPERS STAFF BAG 10 YEARS OVER N3.1MILLION FRAUD

The judge,, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye in his judgment  held that the prosecution has proved its case against Abiodun and Ezeobi beyond reasonable doubt and sentenced them to various prison terms without an option of fines.

Penpushing further reports that, the prosecution counsel, Abba Mohammed, informed the court that Abiodun committed the offence in collaboration with the Vanguard Media Representative for Onitsha, Samuel Ogbole between January 9, 2006 and January 4, 2008.

The Vanguard Media Representative for Onitsha, Samuel Ogbole was said to have absconded when bail was granted to the duo by the court after their arraignment, while he is still at large.

Penpushing also reports that, the prosecutor further informed the court that the convict and his accomplice had on various dates, illegally converted N400, 000, N2.5million and N120, 000 belonging to the complainant, Vanguard.

 “On January 16, 2007, the duo conspired to and forged a Wema Bank deposit slip with No. 7125699 purporting to be the value of N225, 165. On May 30, 2007, the men conspired and forge a Wema Bank deposit slip with No. 3270712 purporting to be the value of N256, 850”, he said.

Penpushing reports that, Mohammed, pointed out that the offences are contrary to Sections 390 (7), 467 (2)(i) and 516 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State 2003, while the judge held that the money Biodun and Ogbole kept for themselves belongs to Vanguard newspaper.

“The defendant is hereby sentenced to seven years in prison on count one. He is sentenced to seven years in prison each for counts two to eight”, Justice Ipaye ruled adding  that the prison terms for counts two to eight are to run concurrently.