An Indian national, Chandra Singh, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja for procurement fraud involving over N816 million.
Justice I.O. Ijelu delivered the ruling on Thursday, February 27, 2025, convicting Singh on charges of bribery and retaining stolen property.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Singh on November 24, 2022, on a 19-count charge. Prosecutors accused him of leveraging his position at African Natural Resources and Mines Limited to secure undue advantages for his company, CVN Engineering Limited.
One charge read: “That Chandra Prankash Singh, on or before 1st of January, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, solicited indirectly to confer undue advantage for your company, CVN Engineering Limited, in order that you influence your employee to award the supply of items costing N365,757,457.00 to CVN Engineering Limited.”
Another charge detailed a similar offence involving Neo Paints Nigeria Limited: “That Chandra Prankash Singh, on or before 1st of January, 2021, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Limited, solicited indirectly to confer undue advantage for your company, Neo Paints Nigeria Limited, in order that you influence your employee to award the supply of items costing N243,141,638.75 to Neo Paints Nigeria Limited.”
Singh was also accused of dishonestly retaining $4,150 belonging to his employer.
Despite pleading not guilty, a full trial ensued, during which EFCC counsel Bilikisu Buhari presented nine witnesses and documentary evidence to support the case.
Justice Ijelu ultimately found Singh guilty on counts 14 to 18, sentencing him to 10 years imprisonment without the option of a fine. The court also ordered Singh to pay N345 million in restitution to his victim.