An Indian national, Chandra Prankash Singh, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for procurement fraud involving over N816 million.
Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja delivered the verdict on Thursday, convicting Singh on multiple counts of retention of stolen property and bribery.
The case was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Singh, who was employed by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, was first arraigned on November 24, 2022, on a 19-count charge.
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The EFCC accused him of soliciting undue advantage for two companies, CVN Engineering Limited and Neo Paints Nigeria Limited, influencing contract awards worth over N608 million.
One of the charges stated that Singh, on or before January 1, 2021, influenced the award of a N365.7 million contract to CVN Engineering Limited.
Another charge revealed that he secured a N243.1 million contract for Neo Paints Nigeria Limited.
Additionally, Singh was accused of dishonestly retaining $4,150 belonging to his employer.
Singh pleaded not guilty to all the charges, leading to a full trial.
The EFCC prosecutor, Bilikisu Buhari presented nine witnesses, and tendered documentary evidence to support the allegations.
After evaluating the evidence, Justice Ijelu found Singh guilty on counts 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18.
He was sentenced to 10 years in prison without an option of fine, and ordered to refund N345 million to his victim.
The conviction marks another victory in the EFCC’s efforts to combat financial crimes in Nigeria.
