The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Marco Ramirez

  • Trial of American for alleged green card fraud stalled

    The trial of an American, Marco Ramirez, who allegedly defrauded three Nigerians of $545,000 in a green card scam, was stalled Thursday at an Ikeja High Court due to the absence of the prosecuting counsel.

    At resumed proceedings Thursday, it was revealed that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) lead prosecutor, Mrs Vera Agboje, had notified the court in a letter that she would be absent in court due to another official engagement.

    The trial judge, Justice Josephine Oyefeso acknowledged that Agboje had written to the court ahead of proceedings to inform her that she will be absent.

    Responding, the defence counsel, Mr. Ademola Adefolaju, also admitted receiving a letter from the prosecutor.

    Adefolaju therefore requested for an adjournment.

    Justice Oyefeso granted the request and adjourned the case until May 7 for hearing.

    Ramirez is facing a 16-count charge bordering on obtaining under false presences before the court.

    He was first arraigned on June 22, 2017.

    He had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was granted bail in the sum of $250,000 with two sureties in like sum on July 10, 2017.

    Ramirez is alleged to be the Managing Director of three companies – USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group.

    According to the EFCC, he committed the offences between February 2013 and August 2013 in Lagos.

    The American was alleged to have fraudulently received $545,000 from one Amb. Godson Echejue to invest in his company.

    EFCC alleged that the plan was to procure an American green card (permanent residence card) for Echejue.

    Ramirez also allegedly received $10,000 from one Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S. which would make Umar eligible to obtain an American passport.

    The EFCC is also accusing Ramirez of illegally receiving $10,000 from one Olukayode Sodimu on the pretext that the funds were facilitation fees with the American Immigration Services for an American Green Card.

  • Court rejects American’s application for variation of bail conditions

    Court rejects American’s application for variation of bail conditions

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court Monday rejected an application brought before the court by an American, Marco Ramirez, alleged to have defrauded three Nigerians seeking US green card of $565,000.

    He said the application filed by Ramirez through his counsel, Ademola Adefolaju, was incompetent.

    At resumed proceedings yesterday, the vacation judge, Justice Oshodi declined to hear Ramirez’s application for variation of bail conditions as he was absent in court.

    His counsel, Adefolaju told the court that Ramirez is in Kirikiri Prison custody and that that is why he could not appear in court.

    “My Lord, my client is not here. He is on remand in prison, we will like my Lord to vary the bail conditions, the defendant has been unable to get an executive director of a company as a surety,” Adefolaju said.

    Responding, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr M.F Owede, opposed the application for variation of the bail conditions.

    Owede told the court that Ramirez was an international fugitive and that varying his bail condition would not be in the interest of justice.

    He urged the court to uphold the bail conditions granted him by Justice Josephine Oyefeso on July 10.

    “The defendant is a fugitive in the U.S.A., and he is already flagged by the interpol, despite this he was still granted bail on liberal terms,”Owede said

    Ruling on the application, Justice Oshodi, said that the application cannot be heard because Ramirez was not present in court.

    He held that the application was incompetent because there was nothing before the court to prove Ramirez’s alleged ill health.

    Adefolaju had on Friday brought an application before  a vacation Judge,  Justice Ganiyu Safari that his client’s health condition had deteriorated in Kirikiri Prison since his remand in July.

    He prayed the court for an order to allow the defendant to bring one surety that is in a directorate cadre in the Lagos State civil service as a substitute for a director in a reputable company.

    Adefolaju said Ramirez was dying in prison and the failure “to expeditiously determine the motion is dangerous as his health is deteriorating in prison custody.”

    However, Justice Safari held that since the EFCC was not aware of the proceedings it was better for the matter to be adjourned.

    He ordered that a hearing notice be issued to the commission informing it of Ramirez’s application and adjourned the hearing of the application till today before Justice Oshodi who is resuming today as the next vacation judge.

    The EFCC had charged Ramirez with a 16-count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretences.

    According to the anti-graft agency, Ramirez, who is the Managing Director of three companies, USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group, allegedly committed the offences between February 2013 and August 2013.

    EFCC alleged that Ramirez fraudulently received $545,000 from Godson Echejue to invest in his company, Eagleford Instalodge Group, in order to procure an American green card (residence permit) for him.

    Healso allegedly received $10,000 from Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S., which was billed to make Mr. Umar eligible to obtain an American passport.

    The EFCC also accused Mr. Ramirez of illegally receiving $10,000 from one Olukayode Sodimu under the pretext that the funds were facilitation fees with the American Immigration Services for an American green card.

    Ramirez had pleaded not guilty to the 16 count charge offence.

    Justice Josephine Oyesfeso had on July 10, granted Ramirez bail in the sum of $250,000 bail or its naira equivalent with two sureties in like sum.

    Oyefeso had ordered that one of the sureties should be resident in Lagos, be a director of a reputable company and have landed property in Lagos State.

  • Alleged $565,000 scam: American seeks bail variation 

    Alleged $565,000 scam: American seeks bail variation 

    An American, Marco Ramirez, who allegedly defrauded three Nigerians of $565,000 in a United States Green Card scam, has asked a Lagos High Court in Ikeja to vary the terms of his bail.

    Last June 22, Ramirez was arraigned for the alleged offence by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Josephine Oyefeso.

    He pleaded not guilty to a 16-count charge of obtaining $565,000 under false pretence from three Nigerians.

    On July 10, Justice Oyefeso granted him $250,000 bail with two sureties in the like sum among other conditions.

    One of the sureties, the judge added, should be resident in Lagos, be a director of a reputable company and have landed property in Lagos.

    Ramirez was remanded in Kirikiri Prison pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.

    He approached vacation judge Justice Ganiyu Safari Friday through his counsel Ademola Adefolaju, seeking a reduction of the bail conditions.

    Adefolaju told Justice Safari that Ramirez’s health condition had deteriorated in Kirikiri Prison since his detention.

    He prayed the court for an order to allow the defendant to bring one surety that is in a directorate cadre in the Lagos State civil service as a substitute for a director in a reputable company.

    Adefolaju, who stated that the application was served on the EFCC on August 21, said Ramirez was dying in prison and the failure “to expeditiously determine the motion is dangerous as his health is deteriorating in prison custody.”

    However, Justice Safari reasoned that since the EFCC was not aware of the proceedings it was better for the matter to be adjourned.

    He ordered that a hearing notice be issued to the commission informing it of Ramirez’s application.

    The judge adjourned hearing of the application till Monday, August 24.

    According to the anti-graft agency, Ramirez, the Managing Director of three companies – USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group – committed the offences between February 2013 and August 2013.

    The American was alleged to have fraudulently received $545,000 dollars from one Godson Echejue to invest in one of Ramirez’s firms.

    The plan was to procure an American green card (permanent residency card) for the Nigerian.

    Ramirez also allegedly received $10,000 from one Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S. which would make Umar eligible to obtain an American passport

    The EFCC also accused Ramirez of illegally receiving $10,000 from one Olukayode Sodimu on the pretext that the funds were facilitation fees with the American Immigration Services for an American Green Card.

  • American who allegedly scammed three Nigerians of $565,000 gets bail

    American who allegedly scammed three Nigerians of $565,000 gets bail

    An American, Marco Ramirez,  who allegedly defrauded three Nigerians of 565,000 dollars in an American Green Card scam was granted bail on Monday.

    Ramirez was granted bail in the sum of $250,000 by an Ikeja High Court.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ramirez was earlier remanded at the Kirikiri Prisons, after his arraignment on June 22 over the alleged scam.

    Justice Josephine Oyefeso while granting the bail said: “the defendant is hereby granted $250,000 bail or its naira equivalent with two sureties in like sum.

    “The current exchange rate should be put into consideration.

    “One of the sureties should be resident in Lagos, be a director of a reputable company and have landed property in Lagos State.

    “The sureties must show evidence of source of livelihood and swear to an affidavit to show same.

    “A copy of the ruling should be sent to all immigration agencies both land and air.

    “The defendant must report to the Lagos or Abuja offices of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) once a week.”

    NAN recalls that the EFCC had slammed a 16-count charge, bordering on obtaining 565,000 dollars under false presences from three Nigerians to get them American green card.

    Ramirez, the Managing Director of three companies – USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group – committed the offences between February 2013 and August 2013, according to the EFCC.

    The American was alleged to have fraudulently received 545,000 dollars from one Amb. Godson Echejue to invest in Ramirez’s company.

    The plan was to procure an American green card (permanent residence card) for the Nigerian.

    Ramirez also allegedly received 10,000 dollars from one Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S. which would make Umar eligible to obtain an American passport

    The EFCC also accused Ramirez of illegally receiving 10,000 dollars from one Olukayode Sodimu on the pretext that the funds were facilitation fees with the American Immigration Services for an American Green Card.

    Oyefeso adjourned the case until Nov. 15 and Nov. 16 for continuation of trial.

  • Green card scam: American to remain in Kirikiri prison till July 10

    Green card scam: American to remain in Kirikiri prison till July 10

    An American national, Marco Ramirez, who allegedly obtained 565,000 dollars under false presences from three Nigerians in an American Green Card scam, is to remain behind bars until July 10, a Lagos High Court, Ikeja, has ruled.

    His remand in Kirikiri Maximum Prisons followed the absence of his defence counsel at the hearing of his bail application on Monday.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that on June 22, Justice Josephine Oyefeso had ordered the remand of Ramirez at  Kirikiri Prisons following his ‘not guilty’ plea.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed on Ramirez a 16-count charge bordering on obtaining 565,000 dollars under false presences from three Nigerians to get them American green card.

    Oyefeso had adjourned the case until July 3 for the hearing of his bail application.

    At the resumption of proceedings, Ramirez explained the reason for the absence of his lawyer, Mr Chukwudi Maduka.

    “My Lord, my counsel’s flight from Abuja was cancelled this morning at 8.00 a.m., they are making alternative arrangements to come,” he said.

    Justice Oyefeso taking note of the absence of his lawyer, stood down the case until afternoon.

    “The day is well spent, this is past 1.00 p.m., his counsel should be here by now, the case is stood down.”

    During the approximately three-hour waiting period for Ramirez’s lawyer, the EFCC had served him documents opposing his bail.

    However, at 4.00 p.m. when the case was called for hearing, the defence team of the American had still not showed up in court.

    “I haven’t spoken to my lawyer since morning; the prosecution just served me with an objection to my bail, I’ll like to ask for a short adjournment so that my attorneys could look into it,” he said.

    Mrs V.O. Aigboje, counsel to the EFCC, expressed displeasure at the absence of the defence counsel and requested that the trial should begin immediately.

    She said: “It is the defendant’s constitutional right to get legal representation, in the circumstance instead of waiting for the defence counsel, the bail can be taken at any stage of proceedings.

    “I ask that the case be adjourned for trial and the bail application be taken at any time during his trial.”

    Interjecting, Ramirez said: “I will ensure that my attorneys fly in a day before proceedings My Lord.”

    Oyefeso then adjourned the case to 9. 00 a.m. on July 10 for hearing of the defendant’s bail application.

    Ramirez, the managing director of three companies – USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group – committed the offences between February 2013 and August 2013, according to the EFCC.

    Ramirez was alleged to have fraudulently received 545,000 dollars from Amb. Godson Echejue to invest in his company, Eagleford Instalodge Group, in order to procure an American green card ( permanent residence card) for him (Echejue).

    He also allegedly received 10,000 dollars from one Mr Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S. which would make Umar eligible to obtain an American passport.

    Furthermore, EFCC accused Ramirez of illegally receiving 10,000 dollars from one Mr Olukayode Sodimu on the pretext that the funds were facilitation fees with the American Immigration Services for an American Green Card.