Indian jailed 10 years for N816m procurement fraud in Lagos

Chandra Singh, an Indian national, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, for procurement fraud involving over N816 million. I.O. Ijelu (Justice) delivered the judgment on Thursday, convicting 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 N345 million to his victim. The case was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which arraigned Singh on November 24, 2022, on a 19-count charge.

According to the EFCC, Singh, while in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, used his position to influence the award of procurement contracts in favour of companies linked to him.

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.