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Fraud

Jul 4, 2025

FRN vs Chief Jonathan Alatoru (Managing Director of Chemtronics Nigeria Limited) & 1 other

Chief Jonathan Alatoru
& 1 other

N200,000,000.00
Amount allegedly defrauded

Case Summary
The Defendant, alongside his company, allegedly forged a contract document, titled: 'Domiciliation of Payment In Respect of Chemtronics Nigeria Limited' and presented the same to Sterling Bank as evidence of a valid contract from the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to secure a loan to the tune of N200million. The contract was initially awarded by the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for a Skill Acquisition Centre in Iguelaba, Benin City, Edo State but was terminated in November 2011.

0
Year(s) case tried in court

Case Update
Upon the admission guilt of the defendants, the prosecution counsel urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. His prayers were not opposed by the defense counsel. Consequently, the trial judge convicted and sentenced the defendants to three (3)years imprisonment on counts 2 to 9 bordering on forgery, and uttering, seven (7)years imprisonment on counts 10 to 11 bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretense and obtaining money by false pretenses. The sentences are to run concurrently. The court further ordered that the Corporate Affairs Commission should wind up the 2nd convict (Chemtronics Nigeria limited). In addition, the convicts were jointly ordered to pay back the Two Hundred Million Naira (N200, 000.000) fraudulently obtained from Sterling Bank.

Hon. Justice A. T. Mohammed
Federal High Court, Port-Harcourt, Rivers

ACJA/ACJL Compliance - complied

Case Information

Chief Jonathan Alatoru & 1 other

Presiding Judge & Designated Court

Hon. Justice A. T. Mohammed, Federal High Court, Port-Harcourt, Rivers

Nature and Number of Charges

11-count amended charge bordering on felonyand obtaining money under false pretense.

Date of 1st Arraignment

Mar 19, 2021

Summary of Case

The Defendant, alongside his company, allegedly forged a contract document, titled: 'Domiciliation of Payment In Respect of Chemtronics Nigeria Limited' and presented the same to Sterling Bank as evidence of a valid contract from the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs, to secure a loan to the tune of N200million. The contract was initially awarded by the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Affairs for a Skill Acquisition Centre in Iguelaba, Benin City, Edo State but was terminated in November 2011.

Defendant(s) and Plea entered on Arraignment

1. Chief Jonathan Alatoru (Managing Director of Chemtronics Nigeria Limited) – Guilty

2. Chemtronics Nigeria Limited (Company) – Guilty

Defence Counsel(s)

1. Max Ogar (Lawyer)

Prosecuting Agency

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission

Prosecutor(s)

1. J. N. Dogonyaro (Lawyer)

Status of Case

Decided

Decision

Convicted

Length of Trial

0 year(s)

ACJA/ACJL Compliance

Complied

Court Decision

Upon the admission guilt of the defendants, the prosecution counsel urged the court to convict and sentence them accordingly. His prayers were not opposed by the defense counsel. Consequently, the trial judge convicted and sentenced the defendants to three (3)years imprisonment on counts 2 to 9 bordering on forgery, and uttering, seven (7)years imprisonment on counts 10 to 11 bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretense and obtaining money by false pretenses. The sentences are to run concurrently. The court further ordered that the Corporate Affairs Commission should wind up the 2nd convict (Chemtronics Nigeria limited). In addition, the convicts were jointly ordered to pay back the Two Hundred Million Naira (N200, 000.000) fraudulently obtained from Sterling Bank.