Justice Toyin Taiwo on Monday ordered an ex-convict Amusa Abiodun to be remanded in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged retention of N88,187,773.64 internet fraud proceeds in his bank account.
Justice Taiwo ordered his remand in EFCC custody after Abiodun pleaded not guilty to a four-count charge brought against him by the EFCC.
The defendant had been convicted earlier under a plea bargain agreement and sentenced on June 26, 2019 by Justice Sherifat Solebo to one-year imprisonment for his involvement in internet scam.
However Abiodun was rearraigned before Justice Taiwo for alleged N88, 187.773.64k internet and cybercrime fraud and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct contrary to Section 17 (a) and (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission Establishment Act, 2004 brought against him by the EFCC.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the four count charge.
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EFCC prosecutor Samuel Daji told the court that the offence was committed between August 20 and October 24.
Daji alleged that the defendant retained the control of the sum of N88, 187.773.64k in his First Bank account 3085787943, which were proceeds of various internet and cybercrimes.
He further told the court that the suspect was also allegedly in possession of fraudulent documents contrary to Section 6(8)(b) and 1(3) (d) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Others related offences Act No.14, 2006.
Giving particulars of the offence, Daji stated: “Amusa Azeez Abiodun on or about the 2nd day of September, 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honouroble Court with intent to defraud had in your possession document title “VEC Claim of Benefits” which representations you knew or ought to have known to be false.
Counsel to the defendant Olanrewaju Ajanaku prayed the court to grant his client bail based on an application he filed before the court.
Deji however opposed the request of the defence arguing that the defence cannot filed an application where the court has not assumed jurisdiction over the trial of the suspect.
The trial judge, Justice Taiwo agreed with the prosecution and ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC’s custody until November 4, 2021 for hearing of the application for bail and commencement of trial.