The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has sentenced Chandra Singh, an Indian national, to 10 years in prison for his involvement in procurement fraud amounting to over ₦816 million.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice I.O. Ijelu convicted Singh on multiple counts of bribery and retention of stolen property. Singh, a former employee of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, was also ordered to refund ₦345 million to his victim as part of the judgment.
The case, prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saw Singh arraigned on November 24, 2022, on a 19-count charge.
According to the EFCC, Singh abused his position within the company to manipulate procurement processes, awarding contracts to companies he was linked to for personal gain.
The sentencing underscores Nigeria’s ongoing crackdown on corporate corruption and procurement fraud across the private sector.
Court documents revealed that Singh solicited contracts worth N365.7 million for CVN Engineering Limited and N243.1 million for Neo Paints Nigeria Limited. The anti-graft agency noted that he was found guilty of dishonestly retaining $4,150 belonging to his employer.
During the trial, the EFCC prosecutor presented nine witnesses and documentary evidence to prove the charges. After reviewing the case, Ijelu found Singh guilty on counts 14 to 18 and sentenced him accordingly, without the option of a fine.
The EFCC, in a statement signed by its Head of Media & Publicity, Dele Oyewale, reiterated its commitment to fighting corruption and ensuring justice for economic crimes.