The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Fraud charge

  • Marketer faces N1.4m fraud charge

    A 28-year-old marketer, Omoaka Oseremen, who allegedly obtained 77 pieces of internet modem and recharge cards, worth N1.4 million, on Friday appeared in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Oseremen, who resides at 6, Post road, Mushin, Lagos, is being tried for on charges bothering on obtaining under false pretences and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the accused committed the offnce between August, 2014 and July, 2015 at 16, Association Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Ogu said that the accused obtained 77 pieces of internet modems and recharge cards from the complainant, Mrs Racheal Bankole, under the pretext of selling the goods.

    “The accused was to sell and remit the proceeds of the sales into the complainant’s account, but he failed to do so.

    “The goods valued at N1.4 million,” he said.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 285 and 313(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused, however, entered a “not guilty” plea.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the accused N250, 000 bail with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until May 15, for mention.

  • Businessman faces N300, 000 visa fraud charge

    A 42-year-old, Sunday Esan, who allegedly obtained N296,000 on the pretext of getting Dubai visa for some people, yesterday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court.

    The accused, a businessman, who resides at 9, Sokanlu St., Mercyland, Ayobo, a suburb of Lagos, is being tried for fraud, stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.

    The offences, according to the prosecutor, Inspector Racheal Williams, were committed sometime between June 8 and November 17, 2016 at the accused’s residence.

    “The accused collected N296,000 from the complainants – Mr Emmanuel Temitope and Mr Emmanuel John – with a promise to procure Dubai visa for them.

    “The accused disappeared after collecting the money and efforts to track him down failed.

    “He was, however, sighted later by one of the complainants and was apprehended,” she told the court.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate L. Y. Balogun granted the accused N500,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum and adjourned the case till March 15.

     

  • Tompolo associates seek to quash N56b fraud charge

    Tompolo associates seek to quash N56b fraud charge

    Associates of a former Niger Delta militant leader, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), yesterday asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to quash two separate charges filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
    The two charges, in which Tompolo was arraigned in absentia, are before Justice Ibrahim Buba.
    EFCC, in the first charge of 40 counts, said the suspects allegedly diverted N34 billion for personal use.
    Tompolo was charged with a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) Director-General Patrick Akpobolokemi, Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, Odimiri Electricals Limited, Kemi Engozu, Boloboere Property and Estate Limited, Rex Elem, Destre Consult Limited, Gregory Mbonu and Captain Warredi Enisuoh.
    The commission alleged that the money accrued from the public private partnership agreement between NIMASA and Global West Vessel Specialist, owned by Tompolo.
    In the second charge, EFCC accused Tompolo and Akpobolokemi of N22.7 billion fraud.
    Others named in the charge are Kime Engozu, Josephine Otuaga, Rita Uruakpa, Mieka Dive Training Institute Ltd/GTE, Oyeinteke Global Network Limited, Wabod Global Resources Ltd, Boloboere Properties Estate Ltd and Gokaid Marine Oil and Gas Ltd.
    Others are Muhaabix Global Services Ltd, Watershed Associated Resources as well as Akpobolokemi’s four brothers – Victor, Nobert, Emmanuel and Clement – said to be at large.
    The defendants were accused of converting over N22.7 billion stolen from NIMASA to their personal use between December 12, 2014 and April 10, 2015.
    Yesterday, Engozu’s lawyer, Chief U. Nnaji, told Justice Buba that he had filed a preliminary objection to the charges.
    He said the law allowed him to file an objection at any stage in the trial, even if witnesses had been called.
    Moving the application, Nnaji prayed the court to hold that the charges were “incompetent” for not complying with the Federal High Court Criminal Practice Direction.
    He said EFCC failed to adhere to Section 3(a) of the rules, which provides that every charge must be accompanied by a verifying affidavit.
    “The charge is, therefore, incompetent as it violated this provision. It states that the complainant (Federal Republic of Nigeria) shall not file a charge unless it is accompanied by a verifying affidavit.
    “The failure to comply with this provision guarantees automatic loss of jurisdiction to this honourable court. The Practice Direction does not give the prosecution any room to come to court without a verifying affidavit,” he said.
    All the defence counsel aligned themselves with Nnaji. They prayed the court to quash the charges.
    EFCC’s lawyer Oluwafemi Olabisi urged the court to refuse the application, saying it was a ploy to delay the trial.
    He said even if the judge was to entertain the objection, ruling could only be delivered at the end of trial in line with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) Act of 2015,
    Justice Buba held that he would deliver ruling at the end of the trial.
    He adjourned both cases till December 13 and 14.

  • Shop assistant faces N4m fraud charge

    A 40-year-old shop assistant, Sunday Agbalugbo was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Chief Magistrate’s Court in Lagos for allegedly stealing electronic equipment worth N4 million.

    The accused, who resides at Ade Street in Ipaja, Lagos pleaded not guilty.

    But the prosecutor, Eranus Nnamonu, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said the offence was committed between May 2014 and January 2015 as an employee of Kenwood Communications Ltd in Ikeja.

    He said the accused stole the items that were in his care.

    “Agbalugbo conspired with others still at large to steal portable radio sets, fans, phones and other electronic gadgets and sold same, property of his employer, Mrs Ifeyinwa Dibia. He sold the goods and converted the proceeds to personal use,” he said.

    Magistrate Abimbola Komolafe granted the accused N500, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said the sureties should show evidence of three years’ tax payment as part of the bail conditions.

    In addition, she ordered that the sureties should deposit N50, 000 with the Deputy Registrar.

    The case was adjourned to June 7 for trial.

     

  • Court refuses to dismiss N77m fraud charge against ex-Oyo commissioner

    A Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, yesterday refused to dismiss a N77 million fraud charge against former Oyo State Commissioner for Trade and Investment Kazeem Adedeji.

    The Police’s Special Fraud Unit (SFU) charged Adedeji; a former Director in the ministry, Yinka Fatoki; and a staff of the ministry, Kolawole Adewole; with six counts of conspiracy and fraud.

    Defence counsel Tayo Oyetibo (SAN) applied that the case be struck out.

    His application followed the absence of prosecution counsel Effiong Asuquo.

    When the case was mentioned, Oyetibo told the court about a letter written by the prosecutor claiming that he was indisposed.

    He said the reasons given by the prosecutor for his absence were flimsy.

    Oyetibo said: “My lord, when this case came up on October 11 for argument of the bail application, the prosecutor deliberately refused to appear in court, even though he was seen on the court premises.

    “This court also ordered that the prosecution furnishes the defence with proof of evidence within seven days, but up till this moment, no processes have been received from the prosecution. The prosecutor claims he was indisposed, but there is no medical certificate to that effect before your lordship. I urge the court to invoke the provisions of Sections 80 of the Criminal Procedure Act and dismiss the charge against the accused.”

    Counsel to the second and third defendants Olalekan Olanisebe and Olabode Iranloye aligned themselves with Oyetibo’s submissions.

    Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke refused to dismiss the charge. He said he would give the prosecution benefit of doubt before reaching a decision.

    The accused were arraigned on October 3 and they pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Aneke granted them N10 million bail each with two sureties in like sum.

    The prosecution alleged that the accused committed the offence between July, 2012 and June, 2013.

    Asuquo said sometime last year, while Adedeji was still commissioner, the Oyo State government entered into a partnership agreement, known as OYSG/B.O.I Fund, to create a pool from which indigenous entrepreneurs could access credit facilities.

    He said both parties contributed N500 million each, which amounted to N1 billion.

    The joint venture, the prosecution said, was aimed at promoting micro and medium businesses in Oyo State.

    Asuquo said Adedeji lodged the money into Enterprise Bank, where his wife worked as an account officer, without the state government’s approval.

    He said Adedeji conspired to obtain over N77 million, which was allocated to non-existing companies – Josh-Tolani Ventures, Tembenatil Ventures, Ojoo God’s Grace Cooperative Society, Agric Preserve Company Ltd and Adis Steel Work Ltd.

    Asuquo said following investigations at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), it was discovered that none of the companies existed.

    Justice Aneke adjourned the case till December 6.

  • Nollywood producer wants court to dismiss fraud charge

    Nollywood producer wants court to dismiss fraud charge

    A popular Nollywood producer, Ifeanyi Onyeabor, on Monday urged an Ikeja High Court to dismiss the N8.8 million theft charge preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

    Onyeabor’s counsel, Mr. F.H. Awalah, made the plea at the resumed hearing of the suit.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Onyeabor, managing director of Igo Motion Pictures International, was arraigned on July 5, 2011 on a seven-count charge bordering on stealing and fraudulent conversion.

    The EFCC had alleged that he collected the money from Steve-James Nigeria Limited in December 2008 under the pretext of producing two movies — “Young Amazon’’ and “Tribes.’’

    According to the EFCC, the offences contravene Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State.

    Onyeabor’s counsel, Awalah, informed the court that both parties had “amicably resolved the dispute.’’

    “The complainant (Okomah) said he is no longer interested in the case; the EFCC should discontinue the prosecution.

    “There was a mistake based on misinformation and the parties have resumed their cordial business relationship.

    “The production of the two movies, which led to the dispute, has almost been completed in Ghana, “Awala told the court.

    Collaborating Awalah’s claim, the complainant’s counsel, Mr. Louis Mgbolu, faulted the refusal of the EFCC to halt the trial.

    “It is a mockery of the prosecution process because my client is no longer interested in prosecuting the defendant,’’ Mgholu said.

    Justice Habeeb Abiru, who noted that the EFCC had no legal representation in court, however, refused to dismiss the charges.

    He said, “ The matter was filed by the EFCC. There is nothing I can do. I cannot strike out the matter.

    “But if by the next date of adjournment they are not here, I will close their case and the defendant will open his defence.”

    The case has been adjourned to November 1 for continuation of trial.