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The convicts identified as John Dodo, Mohammed Ndakupe, Sidiq Ibrahim and Abubakar Usman faced a seven-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and criminal misappropriation and were found guilty on all counts.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC counsel, Steve Odiase, the case is nine-year-old, after it was first filed on April 18, 2007.

“There had been issues, trials and changing of counsel throughout the duration of the trial,’’ he said.

Pleading for leniency, the counsel for the accused, Mr Anthony Agbonlahor, appealed with the court to temper justice with mercy since his clients were first-time offenders and had behaved in as expected during the trials.

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The presiding judge, Justice Adebuklola Banjoko, gave the convicts an option fine in the sum of N500,000 each after they sworn promise to desist from such acts.