Ex-convict bags 12 years jail sentence for defrauding US varsity of $1.4m

An Ikeja special offences court has sentenced Kolawole Erinle, an ex-convict,  to 12 years imprisonment for defrauding Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences (KCUMB) of $1.4 million.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Erinle on three charges bothering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and obtaining money under false pretence.

 Rahman Oshodi, the presiding judge, held that Erinle and his company were guilty as charged, noting that the prosecution had effectively proved the case against them beyond every reasonable doubt.

“The prosecution argued that Erinle spoofed the email address of the financial controller of J.E. Dunn, by faking the domain name of jedunn.com to jedunn.org,” the judge said.

“An act which was premeditated so that when KCUMB was about to pay J.E. Dunn, you provided Bank of America details in the name of E. Dada Autos.

“And after the wire transfer of 1.4 million dollars into it, in March 2019, you caused the money to be transferred in tranches of 850,000 dollars and 460,000 dollars into the second convict’s account, which you also control.

“The evidence shows that you, Erinle, transferred the proceeds of your crime to your nominees, including your mother and your wife, and also acquired vehicles and other properties as captured in exhibit P to P1.

“I have considered the fact that notwithstanding your prison term, which you have confirmed to me as sentencing for 23 months, you have not changed from committing offences.

“I have considered the preceding as aggravating factors, though you said you are sorry, but I do not believe that you are genuinely remorseful.

“I hereby find you guilty of count two and three and you are hereby sentenced to five years for count two and 15 years for count three.”

Oshodi ordered that the sentencing should run concurrently from February 10 when he was remanded by the court.

NAN reports that the convict’s company, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Ltd., was fined N50 million and also ordered to be wound up by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) with the proceeds forfeited to the federal government.

The convict was also required to pay the victim back in full, with any assets and cars that had been taken from him by the EFCC to be liquidated and sent back to the victim through the FBI.