Admin l Friday, January 27, 2023
UYO, Akwa Ibom – A Federal High Court sitting in in Uyo today sentenced Charles Emmanuel Afaha, a former staff of Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron to 110 years imprisonment.
Justice Agatha Okeke sentenced him forgery related offence.
Charles Emmanuel Afaha was arraigned on October 13, 2018 on an eleven-count charge bordering on forgery and he pleaded “not guilty”, setting the stage for the prosecution to prove its case. The prosecution, through its counsel, T. N. Ndifon called five witnesses and tendered several exhibits which were admitted in evidence.
Delivering judgment today via Zoom, Justice Okeke said that “the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the offence of forgery against the defendant in all the counts”.
Before the sentencing was given by the court, S. S. Aribido, who held the brief of T. N. Ndifon, made an application to the Court, praying the Court to order that Afaha restitute the sum of N22, 848, 450. 00 to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron.
However, Mfon Ben, the defence counsel, prayed the court “to exercise mercy in sentencing him”.
Afaha was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment on each count without an option of fine. The sentencing runs concurrently from the date of arrest.
The Court also ordered that the convict shall restitute the sum of N22, 848, 450. 00 to the Maritime Academy of Nigeria which will serve as condition for his release upon the completion of his time in prison.
