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Tag: Ikeja special offences court

  • ‘Why Ajudua was absent in court’

    ‘Why Ajudua was absent in court’

    • By Rachael Isenere

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court has heard that  Mr. Fred Ajudua’s   failure to appear in court was because he is  currently receiving treatment at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital, (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.

    His counsel Mr. Olalekan Ojo, (SAN), stated this before Justice Mojisola Dada of the special offences court.

    Ojo told the court that Ikoyi Medium Correctional Facility had communicated to the trial court confirming that the defendant is receiving treatment at LUTH.

    The counsel told the court told the court  that after the Supreme Court judgement on  May 9, 2024, he alongside Senator Ned Nwoko representing the defendant senatorial district in Upper Chambers accompanied him to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), in compliance with the judgement of the Supreme Court.

    “My Lord, I’m aware that the correctional centre has written a letter to the court about the defendant being receiving treatment in LUTH.

    “After the Supreme Court delivered it’s judgement on May 9, 2025, in total obedience to the judgment of the Supreme Court when the defendant read it online, he surrendered himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) at its headquarters in Abuja on May 13, 2025.

    “On that day he was accompaniedby Senator Ned Nwoko, the Senator representing Delta North Senatorial District at the National Assembly. I led them to the EFCC office, even when we didn’t have access to the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment of the Supreme Court,” Ojo said.

    In his response counsel to the EFCC, Mr. Seidu Atteh, told the court that the business of the day was the continuation of the prosecution case and they were ready to go on with the matter.

    He also told the court that the EFCC has two witnesses in court who were ready to be led by the prosecution.

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    “We have two witnesses in court who are ready for this case today. One of the witnesses is from Enugu while the second one is from Port Harcourt.

    According to the suit, the EFCC, among other things alleged that Ajudua conspired with Joseph Ochunor, who is still at large to obtain money by false pretenses from Zaid Abu Zalaf of Technical International Limited.., a division of Mystic Limited.., a German based firm.

    It also alleged that with intent to defraud, Ajudua and Ochunor obtained $268, 000 on April 2, 1993 as well as $225, 000 from Zalaf.

    “The EFCC further claimed that Ajudua and Ochunor in a bid to give credence to the alleged scam, forged Central Bank of Nigeria and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation receipts and presented same as original.”

    The matter has been adjourned to  July 30, 2025 for continuation of trial.

  • Man jailed one year for possession of fraudulent documents

    Man jailed one year for possession of fraudulent documents

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court has sentenced a family man, Ajie Samuel Chukwudi to one year imprisonment for possession of document containing false pretense.

    Justice Olubumi Fadipe-Abike sentenced Ajie to one year imprisonment following his guilty plea.

    The convict was arraigned before the court on amended information dated March 27, 2025.

    Justice Fadipe in her judgement said she had considered that the defendant is a first time offender and did not waste the time of the court.  “You shall forfit your iPhone 15 pro and the sum of $4000 to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    “I sentenced you to one what imprisonment or with an option of N500,000 and 100 hours of community service.

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    “Where the defendant elects  the option of fine and community service, the non-custodial unit of the Nigeria correctional service shall transfer the defendant to the Lagos State Ministry of Justice which shall supervise his community service on the condition that the defendant shows prove of payment of the fine.”

    During the trial, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuting counsel Ahmad Yerima, presented a witness in court John Daniel, who is in review of facts informed the court that the defendant was arrested on March 7, 2025 by the Nigeria police force zone 2 and handed over to the commission.

    Daniel told the court that he is an EFCC operative attached to the free fraud section. He told the court that under interrogation and words of caution the defendant said he is into a middle man scam. He was moved to the forensic department where fraudulent documents were printed out from his phone in his presence.

    He further  told the court that defendant was arrested with an iPhone 15 pro, and stated he has benefited the sum of $7000, Which he restituted the sum of $4000 cash.

    The EFCC prosecutor tenders in evidence the iPhone, money restituted in cash which was counted in court, letter of transfer of suspect from the Nigeria police, statement of the defendant and fraudulent documents printed out from his phone and pray to the court to convict and sentence the defendant according to his guilty plea.

    The defense counsel Makinde, did not object.

  • Court remands Chinese over alleged N301m fraud

    Court remands Chinese over alleged N301m fraud

    Justice Rahman Oshodi of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has remandeda  Chinese, Zhengjin Jin in the custody of the Ikoyi Correctional Center over alleged N301million fraud.

    Jin was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge bordering retention of stolen property, bribery and stealing.

    He pleaded not guilty.

    Defence counsel, A.C Ezenduka informed the court of   a bail application for his client.

    Responding, the prosecutor counsel, Ahmad Usman told the  court that  the prosecution has not been served.

    Justice Oshodi in a ruling, ordered that the bail application be served on the prosecution.

    He thereafter fixed hearing of the bail application for November 22, 2024.

    He also fixed trail of the matter for January 10, 2025 while remanding the defendant Zhengjia Jin at the Ikoyi custodial center pending his trial date.

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    The charge against the defendant stated: “That you Zhengjia Jin  sometime between the 5th of March, 2024 and 9th of August, 2024  dishonestly retained the aggregate sum of N301million in your account number- 1861390260 domiciled in Access Bank property of Golden Diamond Industrial Manufacturing Company Limited.

    “That you Zhengjia Jin  sometime between the 5th of March, 2024 and 9th of August, 2024, whilst in the engagement of Golden Diamond Industrial Manufacturing Company Limited accepted directly into your Access bank account number- 1861390260, the aggregate sum of N301 million in order that you act contrary to your company’s employee condition of service.

    “That you, Zhengjia Jin sometime between the 5th of March, 2024 and 9th of August, 2024, whilst in the engagement of Golden Diamond Industrial Manufacturing Company Limited accepted directly into your Access bank account number- 1861390260, the aggregate sum of N301,000,000 million  as kickbacks from vendors, thereby conferring undue advantage for yourself, in order that you act contrary to your company’s employee condition of service.”

  • Court sentences union leader to 21 years imprisonment for N43.5m fraud

    Court sentences union leader to 21 years imprisonment for N43.5m fraud

    Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday sentenced the Chairman of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria (NOGASA), Fatuyi Yemi Philips, to 21 years in prison for his involvement in a N43.5 million fraud.

    Justice Dada found Philips guilty of a two-count charge offence the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed against him.

    In the charge, the anti-graft commission alleged that Philips obtained N43.502 million by false pretense.

    Philips was first arraigned on April 7, 2022, alongside Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.

    The charges against the convict stated: “That you, Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about September 28, 2016 with intent to defraud, obtained the aggregate sum of N43.502 million from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited, under the false representation that you would sell to WAPCIL Nigeria Limited $98,870.00, a representation you knew to be false.”

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    Another count stated: “That you, Fatuyi Yemi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited, on or about September 28, 2016, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, stole the sum of N43,502,000.00, the property of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited.”

    Philips pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    During the trial, the prosecution’s last witness and a Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Musa Mohammed, while being led in evidence by EFCC counsel O. S. Owede, told the court how he met the defendant and became involved in a business transaction with him.

    He explained that in September 2016, Philips gave him $40,000 in cash to change to naira.

    After the EFCC presented its fifth and final witness on March 30, 2023, the prosecution closed its case, and the trial was adjourned for the defence.

    On Friday, June 16, 2023, Philips began his defence before Justice Dada.

    Led by his counsel, Olanrewaju Ajanaku, the defenadnt claimed that he had given $100,000 to Olumide Adegbite for exchange, after telling him that he had connections with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and could secure a preferential exchange rate.

    Owede told the court that the NOGASA chairman was reading from a prepared script.

    A paper in which Philips had written some account numbers and figures was presented to the court and Justice Dada allowed the defendant to continue using the document.

    After two hours of Philips’ testimony, the defence team concluded its case.

    Delivering judgment, Justice Dada said the prosecution had proved its case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt.

    The judge sentenced Philips to 14 years imprisonment on Count One and seven years on Count 2.

    Justice Dada said only $8,000 had been recovered from the defendant during the investigation, adding that Philips had remained unrepentant.

    “The first defendant never had the intention of giving the nominal complainant the naira equivalent of the dollar,” the judge said.

    Justice Dada ordered Philips to restitute the full sum of N43.5 million to the nominal complainant within 90 days of the judgment.

    She also directed that Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited pay a fine of N500,000 over Count One within 30 days or face winding up.

    On Count Two, the company was fined N250,000, also payable within 30 days, or face winding up.

  • EFCC re-arraigns American over $1.2m ‘Green Card fraud’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned an American, Marco Antonio Ramirez, before an Ikeja Special Offences Court for allegedly defrauding three Nigerians of $1,229,800 under the pretext of securing America’s Green Card for them.

    Those allegedly defrauded by the American and his companies are: Ambassador Godson Echejue, Abubakar Umar Sodiq and Olukayode Sodimu.

    The American was re-arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada on an amended 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence.

    The accused was arraigned alongside his companies, U.S.A Now LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and U.S.A Now Capital Group.

    Ramirez and co-defendants were first arraigned on June 22, 2017 before Justice Josephine Oyefeso on a 16-count charge but pleaded not guilty to the alleged offences.

    Following his plea, he was admitted to bail for $25,000.

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    Midway into his trial, his case file was transferred to Justice Dada, making his trial to start de novo (afresh).

    During proceedings yesterday, Ramirez again pleaded not guilty to the amended 12-count charges brought against him by the EFCC.

    EFCC’s prosecuting counsel, N. S. Oweize, asked the court for a trial date.

    The defendant’s lawyer, Ademola Adefolaju, who did not oppose the prosecutor’s request, prayed the court to let his client continue with the bail terms earlier granted him by Justice Oyefeso when he was first arraigned.

    When the judge asked the accused if he had fully complied with the bail term, Adefolaju confirmed that his client had fully complied with the bail terms.

    The lawyer said his client had also been visiting EFCC’s office, as directed by the court.

    Following his submissions, Justice Dada granted the request of the defence.

    She held: “Since the defendant has not breached any of the bail terms granted by my brother judge, the defendant is hereby allowed to continue with the terms.”

    The judge adjourned the matter till October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for trial.

  • Alleged N20m fraud: Court grants ex-Ikeja NBA chiefs bail

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Thursday granted bail to three former executives of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) accused of defrauding the association of N20.1 million.

    Justice Mojisola Dada, who ruled on their bail applications, granted former Chairmen Adesina Ogunlana and Yinka Farounbi as well as a former Treasurer Aderinola Kappo bail for N500,000 each with two sureties in like sum.

    They are first, second and third defendants in the suit filed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged “conspiracy to steal”.

    The judge held that there was no reason to deny the defendants bail as the EFCC failed to provide proof that they would jump bail or tamper with evidences and witnesses.

    She said: “The allegation that the three defendants jumped administrative bail was not proven, although the first and third defendants said they were not around last Friday when they were supposed to appear before the EFCC.

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    “They, however, presented themselves for arraignment the following Monday, despite not being served by the EFCC.”

    The judge also held that the EFCC investigated the claims of the third defendant that she was in a hospital in Badagry that Friday. “The EFCC also failed to produce the second defendant in court for arraignment, despite being in its custody up until then.

    “The defendants are granted bail in the sum of N500,000 and two sureties in like sum, one of whom must own a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court.

    “The defendants shall remain on temporary bail, pending the perfection of their bail within two weeks, failure of which they will be remanded in prison,” Justice Dada said.

    She adjourned the matter till July 3, 9 and 10 for trial.

    Ogunlana is facing a 15-count of stealing and a count of money laundering while Farounbi and Kappo are jointly charged with 13-counts of stealing. They pleaded not guilty to the charges.

  • Evans’ inability to pay legal fees stalls trials

    The inability of suspected kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, to pay legal fees charged by his counsel, yesterday stalled his trial before an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

    He is facing two cases before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo.

    The defence counsel, Mr Olanrewaju Ajanaku, had written to the court to request for adjournment in both cases.

    In the first case, Evans is facing a four count charge of kidnapping and unlawful possession of firearms alongside Victor Aduba, a dismissed soldier.

    They were alleged to have kidnapped Mr Sylvanus Ahamonu and held him hostage for about nine weeks.

    They were also alleged to have collected $420,000 as ransom from his family.

    In the second matter, the suspected kidnap kingpin is facing trial alongside Joseph Emeka, Chiemeka Arinze and Udeme Upong over the attempted kidnap of the Chairman of Young Shall Grow Motors, Chief Vincent Obianodo.

    They are facing a seven-count charge of murder, attempted murder, conspiracy to commit kidnapping, attempt to kidnap and sale and transfer of firearms.

    At the resumed proceedings before Justice Taiwo yesterday, Ajanaku’s letter was read in court by prosecuting counsel Mr Abiodun Alagbe.

    Aduba’s defence counsel, Mr Emmanuel Ochai, also confirmed to the court that he has been served with a copy of Ajanaku’s letter.

    Ochai further told the court that he was also informed that the first and second defendants have filed their written addresses.

    He said he was not opposing the request for adjournment.

    The trial judge, Justice Taiwo, in her reaction, expressed her reservations to the defence counsel’s request for an adjournment.

    She described as “ridiculous” that the court was made to for the first defendant (Evans) and his counsel to negotiate fees in respect of a case that is already before the court and for which trial has commenced.

    Justice Taiwo adjourned the first case till March 20 for adoption of written addresses.

    The second case was adjourned till March 29 for further hearing.

  • Prophetess charged with swindling firm of N1bn

    A prophetess, Linda Mabi-Praise, was yesterday arraigned before the Ikeja Special Offences Court for allegedly swindling a company of N1 billion.

    She pleaded not guilty and Justice Sherifat Solebo granted her N25 million bail, with two sureties in the like sum.

    The defendant will remain in Kirikiri prisons until she perfects her bail conditions.

    Mabi-Praise of Temple of Praise Church, Surulere, Lagos has at least three fraud related cases before Justices Solebo and Oluwatoyin Taiwo.

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor Frank Ofoma said Mabi-Praise and her company, Mutano Energy Ltd, committed the offence in 2017 in Lagos.

    Mabi-Praise is alleged to have received N503.3million in five tranches from the complainant, Tophara Ventures Nigeria Ltd and subsequently issued three dud cheques to the company.

    “On April 4, 2017, the defendants fraudulently obtained N80million from Tophara Ventures Nigeria Ltd by falsely representing to the company that the money was for costs of diesel importation.

    “On April 24, 2017 the defendants falsely obtained N238.2million from the complainant by claiming that the funds were for diesel trade and supply.

    “On April 24, 2017 the defendants dishonestly stole and converted N137.1million from the complainant and sometime in 2017, she also stole N48million from Tophara Ventures Nigeria Ltd,” the prosecutor alleged.

    Ofoma claimed that the prophetess, with intent to defraud, on May 3, 2017, issued three dud United Bank for Africa (UBA) cheques to Tophara Ventures.

    The first cheque dated October 30, 2015 had the number 77148231; the second  with number 77148216 was dated May 3, 2017. The cheques were for N5 million each.

    “On May 3, 2017, she also issued a third cheque for N10 million, with number 77148217 dated May 3, 2017.

    “The three cheques were dishonoured on presentation for payment,” the prosecutor said.

    Justice Solebo adjourned  till March 25.

  • Court remands prophetess in Kirikiri Prisons over alleged fraud

    An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Wednesday remanded a Prophetess, Linda Mabi-Praise in Kirikiri Female Prisons for allegedly defrauding a company, Tophara Ventures Nigeria Limited of N503.3 million.

    Mabi-Praise, according to Justice Sherifat Solebo, will stay in prison pending perfection of bail conditions granted her by the court.

    She is facing an eight-count charge of stealing, obtaining money by false pretence and issuing dud cheques before the court.

    Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecutor, Frank Ofoma told the court that Mabi-Praise of Temple of Praise Church, located off Adeniran Ogunsanya Street, Surulere, Lagos and her company, Mutano Energy Limited, committed the offences in 2017 in Lagos.

    Ofoma alleged Mabi-Praise received N503.3million in five tranches from the complainant, Tophara Ventures and subsequently issued three dud cheques to the company.

    He alleged the defendants also on April 4, 2017, fraudulently obtained N80million from Tophara Ventures by falsely representing to the company that the money was for costs of diesel importation.

    “On April 24, 2017 the defendants falsely obtained N238.2million from the complainant by claiming that the funds were for the purpose of diesel trade and supply.

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    “On April 24, 2017, the defendants dishonestly stole and converted N137.1million from the complainant and sometime in 2017, she also stole N48million from Tophara Ventures Nigeria Ltd,” she said.

    The prosecution further alleged the prophetess, with an intent to defraud, had on May 3, 2017, issued three dud United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc cheques to Tophara Ventures.

    He said the first cheque was dated October 30, 2015 and had the number 77148231 while the second cheque with number 77148216 and was dated May 3, 2017 for the sum of N5million each.

    He said: “on May 3, 2017, she also issued a third cheque for N10 million which had the number 77148217 and was dated May 3, 2017.”

    All the three cheques, he said, were dishonoured on presentation for payment on the grounds that there was no money standing credit in Mabi-Praise’s bank account.

    Mabi-Praise however pleaded not guilty to the eight count charge filed against her by the EFCC.

    Solebo granted the defendant to bail in the sum of N25 million with two sureties in like sum.

    She ordered that the sureties must be resident in Lagos, provide proof of residency and proof of payment of tax to Lagos State government.

    Justice Solebo adjourned the case until March 25 for trial.

     

  • Court remands former banker for alleged N81.7m fraud

    Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of an Ikeja Special Offences Court has remanded a former worker of Diamond Bank, Oladimeji Balogun, in prison custody for allegedly stealing N81.7million.

    Balogun was arraigned yesterday before the court on a four-count charge by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    He pleaded not guilty.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that Balogun between May 30 and June, 2018 dishonestly converted to the use of Balogun Zainab Omohomo, N35million, property of Finni Oluwakemi.

    The defendant was also alleged to have dishonestly converted to the use of Fekeman Global Ltd, N30 million, property of Finni Oluwakemi.

    Following his plea of not guilty, EFCC prosecuting counsel Mr A. Mohammed prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody and asked for a trial date.

    The defence counsel, Adekunle Oyesanya (SAN), however, informed the court about a bail application for his client.

    He prayed the court to grant him bail in the most liberal terms.

    Oyesanya said his application was supported by a seven-paragraph affidavit deposed to by the defendant’s brother.

    He added that the offence to which the defendant is being charged is not a capital offence and so is entitled to bail, subject to the court’s discretion.

    Mohammed opposed the bail application in a 14-paragraph counter-affidavit and relied on the paragraphs for his argument.

    Ruling, Justice Taiwo granted the defendant N10 million bail with two sureties in the like sum.

    She said one of the sureties must own a landed property in Lagos and the other must be a relation of the defendant, with evidence of tax payment to the Lagos State Government in the last three years.

    The judge ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of his bail terms and adjourned trial till April 9.