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Tag: fraud

  • Engineer faces N140,000 fraud charge

    A 36-year-old engineer, Bolatito Oni, yesterday appeared at an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for allegedly obtaining N140,000 from a woman under false pretences.

    Oni, who lives at 126, Palm Avenue, Mushin, Lagos, is standing trial on a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

    Prosecuting Inspector Edet Akadu said Oni committed the offence last December 13 at Nucleus Warehouse, Akinyemi Crescent, off Fatai Atere Way, Mushin, Lagos.

    He alleged that the accused fraudulently obtained N140,000 from the complainant, Opeyemi Adeleye, on the pretext of purchasing a Samsung TV and a DVD player for her, which he never did.

    Read also: Court remands Islamic cleric in Kirikiri for child defilement

    Akadu said Oni tricked the complainant and failed to refund the money.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate K. O. Ogundare granted Oni N50,000 bail with one surety in the like sum.

    He said the surety should be employed, show evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government and have his address verified.

    Ogundare adjourned till January 24.

  • Court discharges, acquits ex- banker charged with N3.6m fraud

    A Wuse Zone II Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, on Thursday discharged and acquitted a micrifinance bank worker, Mola Oluwatobi, 25, charged with N3.6 million fraud.

    The police charged Oluwatobi with criminal breach of trust and cheating in 2017.

    Chief Magistrate Azubike Okeagu in his judgment said ” for failure of prosecutor to discharge the burden of proof placed on him by the law.

    “The prosecution did not satisfactorily establish that the defendant is culpable for the offence she was charged with, I hereby enter a verdict of not guilty, for her”, he said.

    Read Also:Court stops demolition of Ondo property

    He also said based on the evidence before the court which showed the failure of the prosecution to prove the charge of breach of trust and cheating against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt,

    ” The defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted of the charges”, Okeagu ruled.

    Ebie Eugene, the defence counsel, raised a sole issue to be determined as” whether the prosecution has proved its case beyond reasonable doubt as required by evidence Act, 2011 to justify the conviction of my client”.

    The prosecutor, Adeniyi Oyeyemi told alleged that the defendant who was a staff of LAPO Microfinance Bank, was arraigned in 2017, for allegedly defrauding the bank to the tune of N3.6 million.

    The prosecutor told the court that the manager of the bank reported the matter at the Wuse Zone 3 Police Station.

    Oyeyemi alleged that instead of the defendant to remit money deposited by some of the bank’s customers, she misappropriated the money.

    The defendant denied committing the offence.

    Oyeyemi said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

  • Clearing agent docked over N3.8m fraud

    A 43-year-old clearing agent, Babagana Shetima, who allegedly obtained N3.8 million on false pretence, on Monday appeared before an Apapa Chief Magistrates‘ Court, Lagos.

    Shetima, who resides at Apapa area of Lagos, is facing a two-count charge of stealing and obtaining money under false pretences.

    The Prosecutor, Insp. Ferdinand Asu, told the court that the accused committed the offences sometime in August, at Apapa Port, Lagos.

    Asu said that the accused fraudulently obtained the sum of N3.8 million from the complainant, Bello Aminu, to help him clear a container from Apapa Port.

    He said that the accused did not clear the container as promised and also refused to refund the complainant’s money when asked to do so.

    Read Also:Man remanded for alleged N.5m fraud

    The prosecutor said that the offences contravened Sections 287 and 314 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.

    Section 287 prescribes three years imprisonment for stealing, while Section 314 stipulates 15-year jail term for obtaining by false pretence, if convicted.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mr Michael Olubi, granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million with two sureties in like sum.

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

    He adjourned the case until Dec. 12 for mention.

    (NAN)

  • Former IG, CP arraigned over fraud

    The Independent   Corruption  Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on Wednesday re-arraigned a former Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ehindero, and a former  Commissioner of Police, John Obaniyi,  over alleged  N16.4 million fraud.

     

    The accused were again arraigned on a 10-count amended charge before an FCT High Court sitting at Apo.

    The charge borders on conspiracy, fraud and making false statement. The former police chiefs, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

     

    The prosecutor, Mr O.G. Iwuagwu, told the court that the accused committed the offences from May 2006 to November 2006.

    He said that the duo conspired and used their positions to place N500 million in two fixed deposit accounts.

     

    Iwuagwu said that the money was part of N557,995,065.00 donated by the Bayelsa Government to the Nigeria Police for purchase of arms and ammunition.

     

    Read Also: Ehindero, others trial suffers set back

    The prosecutor said that the N500 million placed in fixed deposits yielded an interest of N16, 412, 315.06.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the alleged offences contravene Sections 26(1) and 22(5) of the ICPC Act, 2000.

     

    Counsel to the accused, Messrs Kenneth Onorun and Samuel Obairko, prayed the court to uphold the bail granted to them when they were first arraigned.

    They objected to the prosecutor’s application for the court to proceed with evidence by a prosecution witness who, the prosecutor said, was ready to testify.

     

    The defence counsel submitted that the statements of the accused were not served along with the amended charge. Justice Sylvanus Orji directed the prosecutor to serve the defence counsel with the statements.

    He adjourned the case until Jan. 8 for hearing.

     

    NAN

  • Plumber docked over alleged N170, 000 fraud

    A 35 -year-old plumber, Emeka Nwanga, on Tuesday appeared in a Yaba Chief Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly obtaining N170,000 by false pretences.

    Nwanga, with no fixed address, is charged with two counts of stealing and obtaining by false pretences

    Police prosecutor, SP Thomas Nurudeen, told the court that the accused committed the offence on April 24 at 12 p.m. at Ogba area of Lagos.

    Nurudeen alleged that Nwanga, charged the complainant; Mr Segun Adeyemo, N170,000 to drill a borehole for him.

    He further said that the accused had then requested for additional N8,000 to complete the job.

    While transferring the money, the prosecutor said that the complainant mistakenly paid N800,000 into the accused’ bank account.

    Read Also: How Ajudua duped me of $8.4 million, by Bamaiyi

    “My Lord, upon realising that he mistakenly paid N800,000 into the accused account, the complainant tried to inform the accused to return the money.

    “The accused disappeared with the money. It took us a few months to apprehend him and charge him to court,” Nurudeen said.

    The offence, he said, contravened the provisions of sections 287 and 312 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 (Revised).

    After the charges were read to him, the accused pleaded not guilty.

    Chief Magistrate K.B. Ayeye admitted granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

    Ayeye ordered that the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, show two years evidence of tax payment to Lagos Government and be gainfully employed.

    The case was adjourned until Jan 29 for further hearing.

  • Alleged N2.1b fraud: You have case to answer, court tells Dokpesi

    A FEDERAL High Court in Abuja has rejected the no-case submission made by businessman Raymond Dokpesi and his company, Daar Investment and Holdings Company Limited, in their trial on charges of alleged breach of procurement law to the tune of N2.1 billion

    Justice John Tsoho, in a ruling yesterday, rejected the argument by the defence team led by Kanu Agabi (SAN), to the effect that the prosecution has not made out evidence against the  defendants to warrant their being called to enter a defence.

    The judge upheld the argument by the prosecution led by Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) to the effect that the court is, at this stage, only to establish whether or not a prima facie case has been established against the defendants, not to evaluate the evidence led and establish the guilt or otherwise of the defendants.

    Justice Tsoho said, by the evidence led by the prosecution through its witnesses, a prima facie case has been established, requiring the defendants to say their own side of the story.

    The judge relied on the Supreme Court’s decision in the Metuh vs. FRN case and held that a prima facie case has been made out against the defendants.

    “This is not a stage to evaluate the evidence of the prosecution. The no-case submission, filed by the defendants on June 19, 2018, is struck out.

    “The defendants are hereby invited to explain their own side of the story,” the judge said.

    Justice Tsoho added that at the stage of no-case submission, the court was not expected to determine whether or not the prosecution has proved the guilt of the defendants.

    He said the court was required, at the closure of the prosecution’s case, to only determine if any admissible evidence no matter slight had been led against the defendants.

    ?Justice Tsoho noted that the argument by the prosecution, to the effect that the defendants reasonably ought to know that the N2.1 billion was part of the proceeds of Dasuki’s illegal activities, was “instructive”.

    The judge referred to the portion of the prosecution’s written argument, where it contended that: “In the instant case, the applicants knew they had no contract with the Office of the National Security Adviser, but received the aggregate sum of N2,120,000,000 from the office for doing no work at all.

    “This money, the applicants are aware, does not belong to the then NSA, Col. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki (rtd), as it was not even paid from the personal account, but from the account of the NSA.

    “Knowing that the said money must have been received as part of the unlawful acts of the said NSA, the 1st defendant (Dokpesi) sought to wriggle his way out through the explanation he proffered in his statements.

    “Certainly, the applicants ought reasonably to know that such money formed part of the unlawful activity of the then NSA.”

    The judge stated that the court was, at the stage in the case, concerned with ascertaining whether “the proof of evidence discloses an offence or offences or whether the accused person is linked to the offence to require his answer to his involvement therein”.

    “The court is not expected, at that state, to make an opinion on the evidence. At the stage of no case submission, the credibility of the prosecution’s witnesses should not be considered.

    “It is not at this stage that the court can believe or disbelieve the witness,” the judge said.

    He described as ambitious, the defendants’  argument that Section 303(3)(a) of Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) requires the prosecution to prove the guilt of the defendants as against just making a prima facie case.

    Justice Tsoho said to agree with such interpretation of the Section 303(3)(a) of the ACJA would incongruous to established principles on no-case submission.

    The judge adjourned to February 20 and 21 next year.

    The defendants are being tried on a seven-count charge brought by the  Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    They are charged with money laundering, procurement fraud and accused of fraudulently receiving N2.1 billion from the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) between January and March 2015.

  • Alleged N7.65bn fraud: Court revokes Kalu’s 11-year bail

    A Federal High Court in Lagos has revoked the bail it granted a former governor of Abia State, Mr. Orji Uzor Kalu in 2007.

    Justice Mohammed Idris made the order following Kalu’s absence without permission from his alleged N7.65bn fraud trial.

    Read Also:Fake Atiku’s aide arrested after allegedly defrauding 50 on Facebook

    The judge ordered Kalu, who is believed to be in Germany for surgery, to surrender his travel documents to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) upon his return to Nigeria.

    Kalu was also ordered to surrender himself to the EFCC within 24 hours of his return, failure of which he would be arrested.

    Justice Idris held: “Due to the circumstances, I am constrained to revoke the bail granted to the first defendant (Kalu).

    “The first defendant is, however, permitted to continue with his medical treatment abroad unharrassed by law enforcement agencies.

    “Upon the first defendant’s return to the country, he shall at the point of entry surrender his passport and other relevant documents to the EFCC.

    “He shall also submit himself to the EFCC within 24 hours of his return, failing which he shall be arrested and detained by the EFCC.”

    Details shortly…

  • Man arraigned for ‘fraud’

    The police yesterday arraigned Adeshina Rabiu, 49, at an Ijede Magistrates’ Court in Lagos State for allegedly obtaining N600,000 on false pretence

    The accused, whose address was not known, is standing trial before Chief Magistrate A. Oshodi Makanju on a three-count charge of felony to wit obtaining money under false pretence and stealing.

    Prosecutor Aminu Isaac said the accused committed the offence in 2009 in Gberigbe,  Ikorodu.

    According to him, the accused collected the money from Mrs. Okeowo Grace on the pretext of giving her three plots of land in Gbokuta, Ikorodu knowing it to be false.

    The offence is punishable under sections 314, 280 (a) and 287 of the criminal laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2015.

    The accused pleaded not guilty.

    The Chief Magistrate Makanju admitted the accused to bail of N50, 000 with one surety in the like sum.

    She adjourned the case till October 25 for further hearing.

     

  • Court remands woman over ‘N1.5m fraud’

    A  28-year-old woman, Princess Akpofure Eseoghene, was yesterday remanded in prison custody by the Rivers State High Court for allegedly defrauding Anitaitorde May Igoni of N1.5 million.

    She was alleged to have obtained the money from her victim on the pretext of involving her in a monthly contribution (Osusu), but failed to give the victim money when it was her turn to collect the contribution.

    The incident allegedly occurred in Port Harcourt in August last year. Efforts by the victim to recover the amount had been futile.

    Prosecutor Wilson Isaiah alleged that the suspect committed the crime on August 25 last year.

    He said the offence breached Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offence Act Laws of the Federation, 2006.

    The charge was not read out to the accused, hence she did not take plea.

    The court presided over by Sokari Andrew-Jaja said he lacked jurisdiction on the matter and ordered the police prosecutor to duplicate the case file and transmit same to the Director of Public prosecution (DPP)  for legal advice.

    The defence counsel urged the court to assume jurisdiction and grant bail to the suspect, but the court declined.

    Andrew-Jaja ordered counsel to the defendant to file a written address on the application for bail of the defendant.

    The case was adjourned till October 25 for adoption of written addresses pending DPP’s advice.

  • Fake EFCC official held over N900,000 fraud

    A man, who posed as an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Paschal Ugwu, has been arrested by the police over alleged N900,000 fraud.

    Ugwu, according to Police Commissioner Imohimi Edgal, claimed to be an EFCC official and defrauded local and international businessmen.

    Edgal said the suspect was arrested after he collected N805,000 from the Managing Director (MD) of Wire-My-Cake Company, Ijegun, Isheri-Oshun.

    The Nation learnt that the firm has a case with EFCC, and the suspect took advantage of the situation.

    Edgal said: “The suspect met his waterloo on October 5 at Ijegun, having defrauded Wire-My-Cake Company. Two months before his arrest, while pretending to be an EFCC official, he accused the company’s CEO of defrauding GTB.

    “He further accused him that it was the proceeds of the fraud that he used in setting up his company.

    “The suspect did not only intimidate the company’s CEO, but also followed it with accusations and at the end of the day obtained N805,000 from him.

    “The command operatives attached to Area ‘F’ Ikeja began operation. This led to the arrest of Sodiq Ibrahim, a dismissed employee of Wire-My-Cake Company, who connived with the suspect to defraud his former employer.”

    Edgal said Ugwu and Ibrahim would soon be arraigned.