RismadarVoice Reporters
June 5, 2026
Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday, June 5, 2026, sentenced one Chukwuemeka Udezuka to 12 years’ imprisonment for stealing a total sum of ₦64,060,000.
The conviction followed a four-count charge filed by the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Udezuka and his company, Mezu Connection Investment Limited.
The defendant was accused of collecting money from four victims under the guise of converting naira to United States dollars at the official Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) rate. After receiving the funds, he allegedly disappeared and became unreachable.
One of the counts stated that the convict dishonestly converted ₦28,000,000 belonging to one of the victims, while another involved ₦17,360,000 obtained under similar circumstances.
During trial, the prosecution called seven witnesses and tendered documentary evidence, including the defendant’s statements and bank records, all of which were admitted by the court.
In his judgment, Justice Oshodi held that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt and described the offence as premeditated and deserving of punishment.
The court sentenced the defendant to three years’ imprisonment on each count, to run consecutively, bringing the total to 12 years. He was also ordered to make full restitution to the victims and file an affidavit of compliance within 90 days.
The court further imposed fines on the company, ordering payment of ₦500,000 on each count.
Udezuka had earlier pleaded for leniency, but the court maintained that the gravity of the offence warranted a custodial sentence.
