By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
A middle-aged man, Kehinde Amaka, also known as Yomade Ademisoye Ojomo, has been sentenced to one year in prison for being in possession of counterfeit US dollars totaling $2,028,400.00. The sentence was handed down by a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State.
Amaka’s conviction follows charges brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing him of violating the Counterfeit Currency (Special Provisions) Act, 2004. According to the prosecution, Amaka was found with the counterfeit banknotes, all in $100 denominations, on May 15, 2024, in Lokoja.
The EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Hadiza Afebua, explained during the court hearing on November 12 that the case was for the continuation of the trial, conviction, and sentencing.
The charges against Amaka read: “That you Kehinde Amaka a.k.a Yomade Ademisoye Ojomo, on the 15th May 2024 in Lokoja, had in your possession the sum of $2,028,400.00 worth of counterfeit banknotes, knowing them to be counterfeit.” He was also charged with possessing chemical dyes and instruments used for manufacturing counterfeit US $100 bills without lawful authority.
Testifying in court, the first prosecution witness, Alonge Opeyemi Joseph, stated that the matter was reported to the EFCC by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on May 16, 2024.
Joseph explained that upon receiving the petition and the defendant, the EFCC conducted an investigation, counting the fake currencies in the presence of Amaka, who voluntarily made a statement.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Isa Dashen of the Federal High Court in Lokoja found Amaka guilty and sentenced him to one year in prison.
