See ALAKE V THE STATE (1991) 7 NWLR (pt 205) Page
567, FRN V AMAH (2016) ALL FWLR (Pt818) page 889 at
909 and SEGUN ADELODUN V FRN (2017) LPELR 42356
(CA).
In the instant case by the evidence of the prosecution
witnesses, there is no evidence at all linking the 4th and 5th
defendants in the commission of the offence of intent to
defraud or obtain money by false pretence contrary to section
1(1) (a) of the Act. By the evidence of PW1 under cross
examination by the Counsel for the 4th and 5th Defendants, he
testified thus:“I know the 4th and 5th Accused persons. The 4th
Accused works with us and the 5th Accused was given
to me by the 1st Accused to write a cheque of
N20,000,000.00 in the name of the 5th Accused.”
Also by the testimony of PW3, based on the draft cheques
issued in the name of the 5th Defendant, they wrote a letter of
investigation activities to Corporate Affairs Commission and
they received a response which indicated that the 4th
Defendant is the Managing Director of the 5th Defendant
company. According to PW3, they also wrote to UBA plc where
the 5th Defendant maintain and operate an account. The
response of UBA Plc and the statement of account of 5th the
Defendant was analysed as to the disbursement of the sum of
N20,000,000.00 to only the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Defendants as
beneficiaries. Under cross examination by the 4th and 5th
Defendants Counsel, PW3 testified as follows:“It is correct based on the draft cheque, I wrote to
Corporate Affairs Commission and found that the 4th
Defendant is the Managing Director. I equally found out
that the N20,000,000.00 was paid in the account of the
5th Defendant.”
“The 4th and 5th Defendants did not partake in the transaction.
In the course of my investigation I did not find where the 4th
and 5th Defendants benefitted from the transaction.”
Now by the evidence of the prosecution witnesses, virtually all
the ingredients of the offence in which the 4th and 5th
Defendants were charged have not been proved against the 4th
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