The Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Friday convicted and sentenced businessman Bernard Nzenwa to four years and 11 months imprisonment for issuing false documents.
According to a statement obtained from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) official X handle on Friday, Nzenwa, alongside his company, Omega Maritime and Energy Ltd, was arraigned on December 7, 2022, by the Lagos Directorate of the EFCC on a one-count charge of issuing false documents.
The charge read: “Bernard Okechukwu Nzenwa, Omega Maritime and Energy Limited, and Dr. Oluchi Nzenwa, (now at large), sometime on the 9th March, 2011, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, issued a false document titled, ‘Bond for the Re-exportation of Imported Goods Delivered Without Payment of Import Duties,’ which you purported to have emanated from Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.”
Nzenwa pleaded “not guilty” to the charge, leading to a full trial. During the trial, EFCC prosecution counsel G. C. Akaogu called six witnesses, presenting several documentary pieces of evidence to support the case.
Delivering judgment, Justice R. A. Oshodi ruled that the prosecution had proved the case beyond reasonable doubt. “I find the defendant guilty of false bond, false documents, and fraudulent intent,” the judge stated.
Nzenwa was sentenced to four years and 11 months in prison, with an option to pay a fine of ₦50 million. His company, Omega Maritime and Energy Ltd, was also fined ₦50 million as punishment and a deterrent to others.
Nzenwa’s journey to the correctional center began when he issued the false document titled, “Bond for the Re-exportation of Imported Goods Delivered Without Payment of Import Duties to Exporters,” which ultimately led to his conviction on charges of false bond, false document, and fraudulent intent.
