Matilda Omonaiye/
An 82-year-old man, Clement Nnamdi Okonjo, has been sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, bringing a dramatic close to a protracted legal battle that spanned more than three years.
Okonjo, described in court as an elderly grandfather, was convicted by Justice F. A. Olubanjo of the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba, Delta State, on Wednesday, following his prosecution by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The octogenarian had been arraigned on January 17, 2023 on a four-count charge bordering on forgery.
He pleaded not guilty at the outset, insisting on his innocence and setting the stage for a full trial.
For years, the trial lingered, with the elderly defendant repeatedly appearing in court as proceedings unfolded.
Ultimately, the court found him guilty, ruling that the evidence presented by the anti-graft agency proved the charges beyond reasonable doubt.
The conviction culminated in a 12-year prison sentence, a punishment that effectively ensures the remainder of his life may be spent behind bars.
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