LAGOS, Nigeria (July 9, 2025) — Mohammed Gobir, a former non-executive director and Chairman of the Business Development Committee of Afromedia Plc, has been convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment for his role in a ₦300 million fraud case.
Justice R.I.B. Adeniyi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja delivered the judgment on Wednesday, ordering Gobir to also pay $1 million USD and ₦123 million in restitution to Afromedia Plc.
Gobir’s conviction stems from charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was arrested on September 12, 2015, following a petition by Afromedia, an outdoor advertising company.
According to EFCC investigators, Gobir was introduced to the company in 2008 as a potential investor by Synergy Capital Advisory Limited. He claimed he would invest ₦1 billion, which led to his appointment on the Board of Directors. However, he allegedly exploited the trust of the company to siphon millions in both local and foreign currency.
On March 17, 2016, the EFCC arraigned him on a 17-count charge including obtaining by false pretence, stealing, forgery, and possession of fraudulent documents.
One of the charges stated that Gobir fraudulently obtained ₦514.4 million between 2009 and 2011 by claiming the money was needed to facilitate a $70 million transfer from his alleged $250 million offshore investment.
Despite pleading not guilty, the prosecution—led by Nnaemeka Omewa—presented four witnesses and several incriminating documents. The defense called three witnesses in an attempt to refute the claims.
In the verdict, Justice Adeniyi found Gobir guilty on multiple counts, sentencing him to:
7 years imprisonment on count 1 (obtaining under false pretence)
6 months each on counts 4 and 5 (stealing)
Convictions on counts 8, 11, 14, and 17 (possession of fraudulent documents)
All sentences are to run concurrently.
However, the court discharged him on charges of forgery and possession of forged documents.
Gobir has been ordered to pay restitution directly to Afromedia Plc, the nominal complainant in the case.
