The Nation Newspaper

Tag: fraud

  • Woman docked over N2.3m fraud

    Woman docked over N2.3m fraud

    A 60-year-old businesswoman, Christiana Oladipo, on Monday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court in Lagos accused of defrauding a woman of N2.3 million.

    Oladipo was arraigned before Magistrate O.J. Awope on charges of obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

    The accused, who resides at Ayobo area of Lagos, however, pleaded not guilty and was admitted to a bail of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Awope said that the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    The prosecutor, ASP Ezekiel Ayorinde, had told the court the accused committed the offences sometime in November 2017 at Ayobo, Lagos.

    Ayorinde said that the accused fraudulently obtained N2.3 million from the complainant, Mrs Titilayo Olanrewaju, on pretext of selling a Lexus jeep LR 330 to her.

    “The accused, who claimed she was selling cars, showed the complainant some cars on her phone and the complainant made her choice.

    “After negotiation, the complainant paid the money but the accused relocated to Ogun,” he said.

    Read Also: Conductor punches off colleague’s teeth over money

    Ayorinde said that the accused was arrested through her son.

    “The accused son was seen in a club, he was apprehended and that led to the arrest of the accused,” he said.

    The offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Section 314 stipulates 15 years imprisonment for obtaining money under false pretence.

    The case was adjourned to Jan. 29, for mention.

  • Mechanic held for N200,000 ‘fraud’

    A 35-year-old mechanic, Adebori Sabitu, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N200,000 from a customer to fix his car engine.

    Sabitu, who lives in Igbogbo, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Ezekiel Ayorinde, said the accused committed the offence on September 22, 2016 around  Abule-Egba, Lagos.

    He said the accused obtained N200, 000 from Mr Adeola Fadairo under the pretence of buying a new engine for his Mitsubishi Montero Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) but failed to do so.

    Ayorinde said  the complainant also gave N18, 000 to the accused for workmanship.

    He added that 15 months after,  all efforts by the complainant to retrieve his money proved abortive.

    According to the prosecutor, the complainant reported the case to the police and the accused was arrested.

    The offence contravenes  Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    Section 314 prescribes 15 years jail  for the offence.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.  He was granted N200, 000 bail with two sureties in the like sum by Magistrate  O.J Awope.

    Mrs Awope said the sureties should be gainfully employed and show evidence of two years tax payment to the Lagos State Government.

    She adjourned the case till January 29.

  • Pension fraud: AGF seeks Maina’s arrest

    •Minister urges dismissal of suit challenging bench warrant

    Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation ( AGF ) Abubakar Malami (SAN) has asked a Federal High Court in Kaduna to declined jurisdiction over a suit by embattled former chairman of the Presidential Pension Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, challenging the arrest warrant issued against him by an Abuja court.

    Malami urged the court to dismiss the suit and allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the government agency that got the arrest warrant, to proceed with Maina’s arrest and prosecution.

    The AGF told the court that granting any of the reliefs sought in the suit by Maina will do incalculable and permanent damages to the nation’s fight against corruption as well as reverse all gains made so far.

    Malami spoke in court processes he filed in response to the suit filed by Maina. The suit has the EFCC, AGF, Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives as respondents.

    It basically challenges the legitimacy of the arrest warrant got against him by the EFCC and the commission’s decision to declare him wanted based on the said order issued by a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja.

    It is Maina’s contention that the EFCC was an illegal body, on the grounds that  law setting it up – the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 – was an illegal legislation, the amendment of its principal Act having not been allegedly effected by the National Assembly.

    He claimed that the principal Act – the EFCC Act 2002 – was amended as EFCC Act 2004 unilaterally by then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He argued that since the President lacked the constitutional powers to unilaterally alter any law made by the legislature, the EFCC Act 2004, allegedly altered by President Obasanjo, becomes illegal and void and on which the EFCC cannot rely to act, including declaring him wanted.

    Maina, among others, urged the court, in his originating summons, “to hold that the plaintiff (he) cannot be declared wanted or arrested by any government agency invoking the powers of the EFCC Act 2004 for the same (the law) being an illegal enactment”.

    However, the AGF, in his counter affidavit, argued that “since a court of law cannot shield any person from arrest, investigation and possible prosecution, the plaintiff (Maina) cannot claim to have any legal right in an effort to stop any subsequent arrest, investigation and prosecution”.

    Malami faulted Maina’s claim about the enactment of the EFCC Act 2004, insisting that it was validly passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    He challenged the competence of the suit in an objection he filed.

    He urged the court to decline jurisdiction because the suit was wrongly commenced.

    The AGF also described the suit as an abuse of court process on the grounds that Maina had filed a similar suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Further proceedings will resume in the case on January 15, 2018.

  • Pension fraud: AGF seeks arrest, prosecution of Maina

    Pension fraud: AGF seeks arrest, prosecution of Maina

    •Minister urges dismissal of suit challenging bench warrant

    Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) Abubakar Malami (SAN) has asked a Federal High Court in Kaduna to declined jurisdiction over a suit by embattled former chairman of the Presidential Pension Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina, challenging the arrest warrant issued against him by an Abuja court.

    Malami urged the court to dismiss the suit and allow the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the government agency that got the arrest warrant, to proceed with Maina’s arrest and prosecution.

    The AGF told the court that granting any of the reliefs sought in the suit by Maina will do incalculable and permanent damages to the nation’s fight against corruption as well as reverse all gains made so far.

    Malami spoke in court processes he filed in response to the suit filed by Maina. The suit has the EFCC, AGF, Senate President and Speaker, House of Representatives as respondents.

    It basically challenges the legitimacy of the arrest warrant got against him by the EFCC and the commission’s decision to declare him wanted based on the said order issued by a Magistrate’s Court in Abuja.

    It is Maina’s contention that the EFCC was an illegal body, on the grounds that  law setting it up – the EFCC Establishment Act 2004 – was an illegal legislation, the amendment of its principal Act having not been allegedly effected by the National Assembly.

    He claimed that the principal Act – the EFCC Act 2002 – was amended as EFCC Act 2004 unilaterally by then President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He argued that since the President lacked the constitutional powers to unilaterally alter any law made by the legislature, the EFCC Act 2004, allegedly altered by President Obasanjo, becomes illegal and void and on which the EFCC cannot rely to act, including declaring him wanted.

    Maina, among others, urged the court, in his originating summons, “to hold that the plaintiff (he) cannot be declared wanted or arrested by any government agency invoking the powers of the EFCC Act 2004 for the same (the law) being an illegal enactment”.

    However, the AGF, in his counter affidavit, argued that “since a court of law cannot shield any person from arrest, investigation and possible prosecution, the plaintiff (Maina) cannot claim to have any legal right in an effort to stop any subsequent arrest, investigation and prosecution”.

    Malami faulted Maina’s claim about the enactment of the EFCC Act 2004, insisting that it was validly passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly.

    He challenged the competence of the suit in an objection he filed.

    He urged the court to decline jurisdiction because the suit was wrongly commenced.

    The AGF also described the suit as an abuse of court process on the grounds that Maina had filed a similar suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

    Further proceedings will resume in the case on January 15, 2018.

     

  • Estate agent faces N152,000 fraud charge

    An estate agent, Kazeem Arowolo, yesterday appeared before an Apapa Magistrates’ Court, Lagos for allegedly obtaining N152,000 from a woman on the pretext of renting an apartment for her.

    Arowolo, 28, resident in Amukoko area of Apapa, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of obtaining under false pretences and stealing, to which he pleaded not guilty.

    The police prosecutor, Olusegun Kokoye told the court that the accused committed the offences on May 5, 2015 at his residence.

    Kokoye alleged that the accused obtained N152,000 from one Charity Michael on the pretext of renting a room and palour apartment to her.

    The prosecutor said that Arowolo converted the money to his personal use and started avoiding the complainant.

    He said that the accused did not rent any apartment for her and when she demanded for her money, he refused to refund it.

    “When Michael realised that the accused was trying to cheat her, she reported the matter to the police and the accused was arrested,” Kokoye said.

    Senior Magistrate M.A Etti granted the accused N100,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    The case was adjourned till December 28.

  • Man accused of N575,000 fraud

    A 39-year-old man, Wasiu Akanmu, accused of N575,000 fraud, has been arraigned at an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun State.

    He denied committing the offence.

    Akanmu, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Fatima Sodamade, granted him bail at N500,000 with one surety.

    She said the surety must live in the court’s jurisdiction and produce evidence of tax payment to the Osun State government.

    Sodamade ordered that they must submit two passport-sized photographs and an affidavit of means.

    She adjourned the case till December 27 for hearing.

    The prosecutor, Femi Olanibi, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between November 20 and December 4, 2015 in Osogbo.

    He alleged that Akanmu fraudulently obtained, on false pretence, bags of nails, worth N575,000, from the complainant, Mr. Olubunmi Emmanuel.

    Olanibi said the defendant stole bags of nails and absconded, but the police arrested him.

    He said the offences contravened sections 418, 419, 383 and 390 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun State 2003.

  • Man in court for alleged fraud

    A 39-year-old man, Wasiu Akanmu, accused of N575,000 fraud, has been arraigned at an Osogbo Chief Magistrates’ Court in Osun State.

    He denied committing the offence.

    Akanmu, whose address was not provided, is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. Fatima Sodamade, granted him bail at N500,000 with one surety.

    She said the surety must live in the court’s jurisdiction and produce evidence of tax payment to the Osun State government.

    Sodamade ordered that they must submit two passports-sized photographs and an affidavit of means.

    She adjourned the case till December 27 for hearing

    The prosecutor, Femi Olanibi, had told the court that the defendant committed the offences between November 20 and December 4, 2015 in Osogbo.

    He alleged that Akanmu fraudulently obtained, on false pretence, bags of nails worth N575,000 from the complainant, Mr. Olubunmi Emmanuel.

    Olanibi said the defendant stole bags of nails and absconded, but the police arrested him.

    He said the offences contravened sections 418, 419, 383 and 390 of the Criminal Code Cap 34 Vol. 11 Laws of Osun State 2003.

  • Company sacks 17 for fraud

    Company sacks 17 for fraud

    Seventeen employees of Lekki Concession Company Limited (LCC) have been sacked by the management of the company over sharp practices.

    The affected staff who were toll collectors at the gantries of the Lekki, Eki-Osa, Epe Expressway toll gates were handed their summary dismissal letters Thursday, November 23.

    According to the dismissal letter of one of the affected staff signed by Head, Human Resources of LCC, Mr. Deyemi Adekoya, “between the months of June and October, 2017, investigations into your vehicle processing revealed that you deliberately under-classified several vehicles, thereby defrauding the company of cash estimated at the sum of N182, 451 (One Hundred and Eighty Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Fifty One Naira). You enriched yourself at the expense of the company contrary to the terms of your engagement.

    “Consequently, in line with the company’s Staff Policy, under Financial Discipline, Page 32, which stipulates summary dismissal for fraudulent activity and dishonesty, and in line with the recommendation of the Disciplinary Committee, you are hereby summarily dismissed from the employment of LCC for gross misconduct effective November 23″.

    Adekoya, however, noted that investigations were ongoing into another batch of suspected fraudulent staff of the company.

    He said as soon as investigations into their cases “are concluded, they will be thrown out of the company”.

  • EFCC arraigns two for alleged fraud

    EFCC arraigns two for alleged fraud

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two men – Chester Onyemaechi Ukandu and Achi George – at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly claiming falsely to be directors of Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited.

    The commission said they “held themselves out” as directors of Mainstreet Bank Registrars in a February 14 letter to the Manager of Skye Bank Plc, llupeju Branch.

    The letter, EFCC said, is titled: Appointment of new signatories to the account of Mainstreet Bank Registrars Ltd.

    Ukandu and George allegedly addressed another letter on the same day to the Director-General of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Abuja, titled: Notification about the change in the board and management of Mainstreet Bank Registrars Limited.

    The prosecution said they signed the letter as directors of Mainstreet Bank Registrars despite not being duly appointed.

    The alleged offence is contrary to Section 244(1) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act, Cap. C20, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under Section 244(3).

    The defendants pleaded not guilty.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa granted them bail for N20 million each, with one surety each in the same amount.

    The sureties, he said, must own landed property in Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki Peninsula or Ikeja. They must also present their certificates of occupancy to be verified and retained by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar until the court decides otherwise.

    Justice Aikawa ordered the defendants to report to the EFCC on the first Monday of every month until the case is decided.

    He directed Ukandu and George to sign an undertaking not to delay the trial and ordered their remand in prison custody until they meet their bail conditions. He thereafter adjourned till December 12 for trial.

  • Businessman in trouble for fraud

    Businessman in trouble for fraud

    A businessman, Ikechukwu Okongwu, has been arraigned  at an Ogudu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, for allegedly obtaining a loan of six million naira through false pretence.

    Okongwu, 46, of Ago Palace Way, Okota, Lagos, was charged with obtaining the money from Supreme Micro-Finance Bank.

    He was accused of fraudulently diverting and converting a Nissan Quest bus, valued at N1.5 million.

    The bus, said to be the property of the bank, was sold by Okongwu without consent of the bank.

    The businessman was accused of issuing dud GTBank cheques and pretending to have money in his GTBank account prior to issuance of the cheques.

    The prosecutor, Lucky Ihiehie, told the court that the offence was committed on December 2012 at the bank at Alhaja Abass Street, Ogudu Road, Ojota, Lagos.

    He said the complainant, Ayo Ajibolu, counsel to Supreme Microfinance Bank, submitted a petition against the accused to the State Intelligence Bureau, Area H Command, Ogudu, Lagos.

    “Sometime in December 2011, the accused obtained a personal loan of N3 million and another loan of N3 million for his company, Signetyke International.

    “The sum of N2,002,00 is outstanding for the first loan and N651, 313, 35 is outstanding for the second loan. Efforts by the bank to recover the balance proved abortive.

    “On September 30, 2012 and December 28, 2012, the accused issued four dud cheques of N500, 000 each to the bank.”

    The prosecutor noted that the offences contravened sections 292 and 393 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Magistrate, Mrs. O. Sule-Amzat, admitted the accused to bail at N400,000 with two sureties, whose addresses must be verified.

    She ordered that the sureties must be related to the accused and resident in Lagos State.

    Sule-Amzat said both sureties must be taxpayers and must present evidence of rent and other utility bills.

    The case was adjourned till December 6 for mention.