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A Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja has sentenced Chidi Nwaya to a total of 22 years’ imprisonment for obtaining N28 million by false pretence and stealing in a failed property transaction on Lagos Island.
Delivering judgment on Wednesday, Justice Modupe Nicol-Clay convicted Nwaya on two counts— obtaining by false pretence and stealing —and ordered that the sentences run concurrently. The court imposed 15 years’ imprisonment for obtaining by false pretence and seven years for stealing.
The judge ruled that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, describing the defendant’s actions as deliberate, calculated, and deceptive.
Nwaya was arraigned by the Lagos State Government in Suit No. LD/4554C/2017 over a 2012 property transaction involving a building located at No. 163A, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Island.
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According to the prosecution, led by Mrs T. Olanrewaju-Daud, the convict falsely presented himself as having the authority to sell a family-owned property and induced Anthony Mbachu to pay N28 million for its purchase.
Testifying during the trial, Mbachu told the court that he had known Nwaya for several years and initially interacted with him as a tenant before discussions for the sale began. He said the defendant assured him that his family had agreed to sell the property and allowed payment in instalments.
“I paid a total of N28m. Receipts were issued, documents were prepared, but the property was never transferred to me, and my money was not refunded,” Mbachu testified.
A police investigator, ASP Bisi Awotunde, told the court that Nwaya admitted collecting money from the complainant, while receipts confirming the payment were recovered during investigations. Another prosecution witness, Aloy Ezenduka, a legal practitioner, testified that he prepared the transaction documents and witnessed Nwaya sign the deed of assignment.
In his defence, Nwaya admitted receiving money but claimed it was N14.29 million, alleging the funds were later converted to rent. He also claimed some documents were signed under duress.
Justice Nicol-Clay rejected the defence, ruling that the evidence showed the convict knowingly misrepresented his authority and fraudulently converted the funds. The court struck out a forgery charge after it was not proven.
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