Indian Bags 10 Years For Fraud In Lagos
Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, convicted and sentenced an Indian national, Chandra Singh, to 10 years in prison for procurement fraud.
The Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Singh on Thursday, November 24, 2022, before Justice Ijelu, on a 19-count charge involving alleged retention of stolen property and bribery, amounting to N816,361,386.75 (Eight Hundred and Sixteen Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-One Thousand, Three Hundred and Eighty-Six Naira and Seventeen Kobo).
One of the charges stated: “That Chandra Prankash Singh, on or before January 1, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, while employed by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, indirectly solicited to confer undue advantage to your company, CVN Engineering Limited, by influencing your employee to award a contract for the supply of items costing N365,757,457.00 to CVN Engineering Limited.”
Singh was also accused of dishonestly retaining $4,150 belonging to African Natural Resources and Mines Limited. He pleaded “not guilty” to all charges, leading to the commencement of his trial.
During the trial, prosecution counsel Bilikisu Buhari presented nine witnesses and several pieces of documentary evidence to support the case.
In his judgment on Thursday, February 27, 2025, Justice Ijelu found Singh guilty on counts 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, sentencing him to 10 years in prison without the option of a fine. Additionally, he was ordered to make restitution of N345 million to the victim.
Singh’s conviction stems from his involvement in the retention of stolen property and bribery amounting to N816,361,386.75.
