An 89-year-old Anambra-based businessman, Chief Christian Eze, has been discharged and acquitted of conspiracy and forgery charges filed against him by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), following a ruling by the Federal High Court in Abuja.
Justice James Kolawole Omotosho, delivering judgment on Wednesday, quashed all five counts brought against Chief Eze and his co-defendant, 75-year-old Josephine Obineme. The two had been accused of falsifying company documents to unlawfully assume control of two family-owned businesses—Jefrics Nigeria Limited and Zecon Nigeria Limited.
Chief Eze, who was assisted into the courtroom with a walking stick, was visibly relieved as the judge ruled that the police had failed to establish a credible case. The court found the prosecution’s evidence to be “vague, watery, and full of doubts.”
“No Link to the Alleged Crimes”
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho said there was no tangible connection between the defendants and the allegations leveled against them. He criticised the police investigation as “shady” and lacking in due diligence.
“The failure of police to investigate the two lawyers named in the shady forgery deal wrecks havoc on the charges,” the judge stated, referring to two legal practitioners—Otti and Kamaldeen Raji—whom the defendants claimed were responsible for managing the affairs of the companies in question.
The Charges
The IGP had charged the elderly businessman and Obineme with conspiracy, forgery, unlawful conversion of property, and making fraudulent claims of ownership—offences said to contravene Sections 1, 2, and 6 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, carrying a potential sentence of 21 years.
The charges stemmed from events alleged to have occurred in 2005, when Chief Eze was accused of forging documents at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to alter shareholding structures and appoint himself Managing Director of Jefrics Nigeria Ltd, with Obineme as Executive Director. He was also alleged to have sold a petroleum station in Lafia, Nasarawa State—belonging to one of the companies—for ₦25 million and converted the proceeds for personal use.
Defence: “Never Visited CAC”
In his defence, Chief Eze denied ever visiting the CAC or having any knowledge of altering company shares or legal documents. He testified that lawyers had been appointed by his late elder brother to manage the companies’ affairs and should be held accountable for any alleged impropriety.
Obineme, for her part, stated she was only a former staff member of the companies and had no involvement in the alleged offences.
Justice Omotosho said the court was persuaded by the “consistent, confident, and unshaken” testimonies of the defendants. He further condemned the police for failing to trace or investigate the lawyers implicated in the case, noting that their absence fatally undermined the prosecution’s case.
Acquitted and Freed
“I believe the evidence of the two defendants as witnesses of truth. I have no reason to doubt them,” the judge declared, adding that the police’s claim that they could not locate the lawyers for questioning was not credible.
Consequently, Justice Omotosho discharged and acquitted both Chief Christian Eze and Josephine Obineme of all charges.
