The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC Makurdi Zonal Office on February 11, 2020 secured the conviction of one Otene Olafikwu for offence bordering on currency counterfeiting.
He was on February 6, 2020 brought before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon of a Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, Benue state on a two-count charge alongside John Garba Aondohemba, Simon Atsen Gbagir and Janet Tyondugh for possessing and altering two counterfeit $50 bills.
They had pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, but Olafikwu later approached the EFCC for a plea bargain, prompting him to change his plea to “guilty”.
In view of his guilty plea, and subsequent review of the facts of the case, the prosecuting counsel, Y.Y. Tarfa, prayed the court to convict him accordingly.
Counsel to Olafikwu, I. M. Mari, however, pleaded with the Court to temper justice with mercy, saying his client was a first-time offender.
Consequently, Justice Olajuwon convicted and sentenced him to two years in prison, with an option of fine of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira).
