In the instant case, apart from the testimonies of PWS 1 – 4 and
the exhibits tendered in Court, the statements of the Defendants,
exhibits 7 (a), 8, 8 (a) and 9 admitted to PW1 that exhibits 1 and
2 were genuine that eventually made PW1 to part with the sum of
N8,500,000.00 to the Defendants. Thus, by the actus reus of the
Defendants which have now drawn the mens rea in the open, the
offence of Conspiracy has been established against the
Defendants by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt and I so
hold.
In respect of count two, by the evidence of PWS 1 and
3
and
indeed the statements of the Defendants exhibits 7(a), 8, 8 (a)
and 9, there was a representation by the Defendants and the
representation was made to PW1 upon which PW1 parted with the
sum of N8,500,000.00. Further, the Defendants knew that
exhibits 1 and 2 do not exist and yet they induced the nominal
complainant to deliver and transfer the sum of N8,500,000.00 to
the Defendants. The sum of N8,500,000.00, there is no doubt is
capable of being stolen.
In the case of OMOREDE DARLINGTON V FRN (Supra) Peter
– Odili JSC, on the elements of obtaining money under false
pretence state the ingredients thus: - (1) that there was a false
pretence made by the accused to the person defrauded. In the
instant case, by exhibits 7 (a), 8(a) and (b) and 9, the
Defendants admitted that exhibits 1 and 2 were genuine and this
was further confirmed by the testimonies of PWS 1, 3 and 4 until
PWS 1, 3 and 4 discovered that Plots ED3 and ED4 contained in
exhibits 1 and 2 were none existent. And the evidence of PW2, a
staff of Federal Capital Development Administration posted to
Abuja Municipal Area Council confirmed that exhibits 1 and 2 did
not emanate from their office. Thus, the representation was false
and there is no doubt that the sum of N8,500,000.00 which was
paid to the Defendant is capable of being stolen. And more
importantly, the representation by the Defendants of exhibits 1
and 2 was done with the intention of defrauding the nominal
complainant and that was why the 1st Defendant agreed to
provide alternative plots which PW1 refused to accept.
29