Court Returns Convicted Fraudster Unlawfully Released By NCOS Officers To Prison
Justice Mojisola Dada of Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, has returned a convicted fraudster, Anthony Okpala, who was alleged released from prison custody without valid court order, to Kirikiri centre of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).
Justice Dada had on December 21, 2023 convicted and sentenced the Okpala alongside his company, Mashuchun international Limited, to seven years imprisonment, on a two count-charge of dishonestly converted to their own use the sum of $177, 000 USD and the N6, 504, 000.00 million, in a charge numbered ID/8863C/2019, filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The judge also ordered the businessman to pay the sum of N1 million in addition to the jail-term.
However, upon his conviction by the court, the convicted fraudster was allegedly released by the NCoS’ officials, without any court order to that effect.
Following his unlawful release, the nominal complainant, Mr. Ibrahim Zango, through his lawyer, Benignus Chibueze Mbam, petitioned the Minister for Interior and the Comptrollers General of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), on the alleged illegal acts NCoS officials.
Apart from the petition, the lawyer also reported the alleged unlawful act of warders to the presiding judge. The development, which made the judge to summon the prison official.
However, at the resumed hearing of the matter Friday, Justice Dada descended heavily on the prison authorities unlawful release of the convict.
Though, the convicted fraudster’s lawyer, Ajanaku, told the court that he has an application for bail pending appeal.
The EFCC lawyer, kalu Nwado admitted been served with the application.
Consequently, Justice Dada, while ordered that the convicted fraudster be returned to Kirikiri center of Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), adjourned the matter till May 16, for hearing of his application.
