The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, has sentenced Jonathan Wallang, Managing Director of Swift and Hay Limited, to seven years in prison for defrauding the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Staff Bonny Cooperative Society of N700 million.
According to a statement by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Wallang was convicted for fraudulently collecting money under false claims that he had the authority to sell plots of land.
The EFCC disclosed that Wallang received N520 million on October 20, 2011, and an additional N130 million on November 3, 2011, through Dinijocs Nigeria Limited. The money was paid for land he falsely claimed was owned by Larix Company Limited.
The case started in 2015 after the NLNG cooperative filed a petition. Of the four people initially charged, two passed away during the trial and one was discharged. Wallang was found guilty of conspiracy, forgery, and obtaining money under false pretenses.
Justice Hamza Muazu sentenced him to seven years in prison without the option of a fine for the false pretenses charges. For the forgery and conspiracy counts, he received two years in prison with an option to pay a N200,000 fine for each count.
The court also ordered Wallang to repay N580 million to the NLNG Staff Bonny Cooperative Society as restitution.
