Ex-Maritime academy staff, bags 110 years over N22m contract fraud in Uyo

The Uyo Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday, January 27, 2023, secured the conviction and sentencing of one Charles Emmanuel Afaha, a former staff of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, before Justice Agatha Okeke of the Federal High Court sitting in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The convict was arraigned on October 13, 2018 on an 11-count charge bordering on forgery and he pleaded “not guilty”, setting the stage for the prosecution to prove its case.

The prosecution, through its counsel, T. N. Ndifon called five witnesses and tendered several exhibits which were admitted in evidence.

Delivering judgment  via Zoom, Justice Okeke said that “the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the offence of forgery against the defendant in all the counts.

Before the sentencing was given by the court, S. S. Aribido, who held the brief of T. N. Ndifon, made an application to the Court, praying the Court to order that Afaha restitute the sum of N22,848,450.00 to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.

However, Mfon Ben, the defence counsel, prayed the court “to exercise mercy in sentencing him.”

Afaha was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on each count without an option of fine. The sentencing runs concurrently from the date of arrest.

The Court also ordered that the convict shall restitute the sum of N22, 848,450.00 to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria which will serve as condition for his release upon the completion of his time in prison.