23rd January, 2013
A 88 year-old grandfather, Olusola Alaba has been arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja by Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for an alleged N1.4 million fraud.
Alaba, a former member of Nigeria’s First Republic Western House of Assembly is facing a five count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and forgery.
EFCC prosecutor, Mr Francis Usani alleged that the defendant had on 20 June, 2011 in Lagos fraudulently obtained the sum of N1,490,000 from one Mrs Olutoyin Ogundipe.
Usani alleged that Alaba obtained the money from the woman by claiming that the said sum represented the cost of a three bedroom flat located at Plot 8 Oladimeji Alo Street, Lekki Phase One.
The prosecutor further accused him of forging four international passports in the names of Babatunde Savage, Anthony Okundalaye, Lateef Alli and Magnus Obe, to facilitate the fraud.
He said the Alaba’s alleged offence contravene Section 1 (2) (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006 and 467 of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State 2003.
Alaba pleaded not guilty to the charge and his counsel, Mrs Mercy Emuveyan urged the court to remand him in EFCC custody pending the filing of his bail application.
She appealed to the court to consider the defendant’s age and health condition as well as being a former member of the Western House of Assembly.
Okunnu granted her request and remanded the defendant in EFCC custody.
The matter was adjourned to 26 March, 2012 for trial.