Justice I.O. Ijelu of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, on Thursday, February 27, 2025, convicted and sentenced an Indian national, Chandra Prakash Singh, to 10 years in prison for procurement fraud.
Singh was arraigned by the Lagos Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 24, 2022, on a 19-count charge related to the retention of stolen property and bribery amounting to N816,361,386.75.
According to the prosecution, while employed by African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, Singh solicited undue advantages for his companies—CVN Engineering Limited and Neo Paints Nigeria Limited—influencing the award of supply contracts worth N365,757,457.00 and N243,141,638.75, respectively. He was also found to have dishonestly retained $4,150 belonging to his employer.
Singh pleaded not guilty to all charges, prompting a full trial. The prosecution, led by Bilikisu Buhari, presented nine witnesses and submitted documentary evidence to support its case.
Delivering the judgment, Justice Ijelu found Singh guilty on counts 14 to 18, sentencing him to 10 years’ imprisonment without the option of a fine. The court also ordered him to make restitution of N345 million to the victim.
Singh’s conviction underscores the EFCC’s continued efforts to combat financial crimes and corruption in Nigeria’s corporate sector.
