A Nigerian man, Idris Bakare, has been sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding British Airways of N35.6 million.
The Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, delivered the judgment on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
Bakare was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on four counts of stealing, contrary to Section 280(2) and punishable under Section 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. He pleaded guilty to the charges.
According to the EFCC investigative officer, Mojibola Adekunbi, Bakare conspired with others to sell Jet A1 fuel meant for British Airways to a third party, Dauda Sulaiman, and received N40.6 million in proceeds.
Justice O. O. Abike-Fadipe convicted Bakare and sentenced him to one year in prison on each count, with an option of a fine of N1 million on each count. The sentences will run concurrently. Bakare was also ordered to pay the balance of N36.6 million over three years, commencing from July 2024, and refund N4 million to British Airways.
In his plea for mercy, Bakare apologized to British Airways, his employer, and his family, promising never to engage in fraudulent activities again. His lawyer, Olufemi Bisuga, also pleaded for mercy. The prosecution counsel, Z. I. Atiku, sought restitution for the victim, British Airways, according to Section 297 of the Administration of Criminal Justice and the Law of Lagos State.
