For laying claim to a property belonging to Waterside Properties Limited, an Italian woman, Floriana De Stefani, has been convicted and sentenced to three years imprisonment or pay an option of N50 million.
Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court Ikeja delivered this judgement on Friday.
According to the court, the widow of late Mr. Luca Signorelli used forged documents to claim a property where she was a tenant following the demise of her husband.
She was found guilty of count six of the charges bordering on the use of false documents and counterfeit seals, which she used to confer ownership of the property on herself.
Initially, Floriana De Stefani was arraigned on a five count charge on March 30, 2019 and later rearraigned on a six count amended charge as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission dropped the criminal charge against Stella Ndubusi Ogboru who was a co-defendant.
Floriana De Stefani was charged for offences bordering on forgery, stealing of a property and use of false documents and counterfeit seals.
One of the amended charges reads: “That you, Floriana De-Stefani sometime in 2015, within the Ikeja judicial Division of this Honourable court, dishonestly converted for your own use, property known and situated at No.14A/B Warring Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, a property of Waterside Properties Limited.”
Another count reads: “That you, Floriana De-Stefani sometime in the year 2015 in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with dishonest intention forged document titled “Deed Of Assignment” dated 1983, allegedly prepared by Rosamond O. Bakare: purported to have been entered between Mr E.A. Lowo on behalf of Waterside Properties Limited, on the first part and late Lucas Signorelli and Mrs Floriana De-Stefani, on the second part.”
Another count reads: “That you, Floriana De-Stefani sometime in the year 2015 in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with dishonest intention forged document titled “Extract from the extraordinary General Meeting of Waterside Properties Limited dated 17th Of June, 1983; purported to have been made in preparation for the dissolution of Waterside Properties Limited.”
She denied all charges against her, this led to her trial in court since 2019.
Counsel to the convict, Babatunde Ogungbamila pleaded for mercy with the court that the aged Italian and widow was a first-time offender who was apparently misled by a former lawyer of hers.
Justice Dada also ordered the release of the property to Waterside Properties Limited within three weeks.
She was given an ultimatum of three weeks to pay the fine or else serve the jail term.
