ASABA, Nigeria — In a landmark judgment highlighting the judiciary’s stance against document falsification, the Federal High Court sitting in Asaba has sentenced 82-year-old Clement Nnamdi Okonjo to 12 years in prison.
The conviction, secured on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, followed a rigorous legal battle led by the Benin Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Okonjo was found guilty of a four-count charge bordering on forgery, ending a trial that commenced over three years ago.
Okonjo was first arraigned on January 17, 2023, where he entered a “not guilty” plea. Throughout the proceedings before Justice F. A. Olubanjo, the prosecution presented evidence detailing the octogenarian’s involvement in the creation and distribution of fraudulent documents.
Despite his advanced age, the court emphasized the gravity of the offense. Justice Olubanjo, in delivering the sentence, noted that the evidence provided by the EFCC was sufficient to prove the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. The 12-year sentence—three years for each of the four counts—is expected to run concurrently.
The EFCC has hailed the judgment as a victory for the rule of law. A spokesperson for the commission noted that the age of a defendant does not provide immunity from the consequences of criminal actions, particularly those that undermine the integrity of official documentation and economic stability.
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Legal observers suggest this case serves as a deterrent to others involved in the “business” of document forgery, a crime that has seen a rise in cases involving public contracts and land titles across the Niger Delta region.
Okonjo has been remanded to a correctional facility to begin his sentence.
