Justice Mojisola Olatoregun of a Federal High Court, Lagos, Thursday,
sentenced a former Managing Director of the defunct Integrated
Microfinance Bank Ltd, Simon Akinteye to four years in prison, over
166.9 million dollars fraud.
sentenced a former Managing Director of the defunct Integrated
Microfinance Bank Ltd, Simon Akinteye to four years in prison, over
166.9 million dollars fraud.
The court sentenced the convict to four years concurrent term of
imprisonment on the nine count charge preferred against him by the
Ministry of Justice.
imprisonment on the nine count charge preferred against him by the
Ministry of Justice.
The court however, gave him an option of fine of two million naira on
each of the counts, adding that same shall be computed cumulatively.
each of the counts, adding that same shall be computed cumulatively.
Olatoregun, had convicted Akinteye on Feb. 4, after finding him
guilty of all nine counts charge bordering on reckless granting of loans
without collateral, preferred against him.
guilty of all nine counts charge bordering on reckless granting of loans
without collateral, preferred against him.
Meanwhile, the court had on same Feb. 4, discharged and acquitted his co defendant, Gabriel Adepoju.
The court had then adjourned Akinteye’s sentence untill Feb. 21.
When the case was called on Thursday, the court called for addresses from counsel before reading the sentence.
In addressing the court the prosecutor, Mrs O. Ndidi, urged the court
to impose the maximum sentence as prescribed by law, adding that a
person so convicted of such offence, is liable to an imprisonment term
of five years.
to impose the maximum sentence as prescribed by law, adding that a
person so convicted of such offence, is liable to an imprisonment term
of five years.
She argued that in addition, the court is empowered to order a refund of the money.
“I submit that the convict be sentenced based on the appropriate law, and that the money be returned to the NDIC” she said.
On his part, defence counsel Mr A. O Sherif, in urging the court for a
mitigation before sentence, referred the court to the provisions of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
mitigation before sentence, referred the court to the provisions of the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
He urged the court not to impose the maximum sentence on the
defendant, adding that he is a first offender with no past criminal
records.
defendant, adding that he is a first offender with no past criminal
records.
He urged the court to temper Justice with mercy and impose a light
sentence on the convict, adding that same should be allowed to run
concurrently.
sentence on the convict, adding that same should be allowed to run
concurrently.
Delivering judgment, Olatoregun held that the court had been told
that the convict is a first offender with no past criminal records.
that the convict is a first offender with no past criminal records.
She however, held that the convict betrayed the trust of clients of the bank, who had deposited their monies there.
Taking into consideration that the convict is a first offender, the court sentenced the convict as follows.:
On count one, four years imprisonment or an option of N2 million fine.
On count two, four years imprisonment or an option of N2 million fine.
On count three, four years imprisonment or an option of N2 million fine.
On count four, four years imprisonment or an option of N2 million fine.
On count five, four years imprisonment or an option of N2 million fine.
On count six, four years imprisonment or an option of N2 million fine.
On count seven, four years imprisonment or an option of N2 million fine.
On count eight, four years imprisonment or an option of N2 million fine.
On count nine, four years imprisonment or an option of N2 million fine.
The judge held that while the sentence is to run concurrently, the
fine imposed would be cumulative, adding that the sentence should serve
as a deterrent to others.
fine imposed would be cumulative, adding that the sentence should serve
as a deterrent to others.
In the charge marked FHC/L/234c/16, the prosecution alleged that the
convict recklessly and without collateral, approved credit facilities
running into 166 million dollars and N33.3 million to themselves.
convict recklessly and without collateral, approved credit facilities
running into 166 million dollars and N33.3 million to themselves.
The convict was said to have at different times, withdrawn from the
bank’s account the total sum of N11 million and diverted it to his
personal company named ‘Deblad Nigeria Ltd. ‘.
bank’s account the total sum of N11 million and diverted it to his
personal company named ‘Deblad Nigeria Ltd. ‘.
He was also said to have unlawfully withdrawn the total sum of 166
million dollars and paid same into account of one Temitope domiciled
with Citi Bank in the United States of America.
million dollars and paid same into account of one Temitope domiciled
with Citi Bank in the United States of America.
The offences according to the prosecution contravene the provisions
of sections 15 (1)(a) ,18() and 18(3)a)(I) of the Banks and other
Financial Institution Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
of sections 15 (1)(a) ,18() and 18(3)a)(I) of the Banks and other
Financial Institution Act Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The convict had pleaded not guilty on arraignment.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
