5th November, 2010
Three persons, including a pastor, were on Thursday arraigned before an Ikeja High Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding a complainant, Mrs. Rose Bello of N7.7 million.
The trio, Rev. Akanji Kehinde, Enoch Idris and Amuzie Oku-Ani, were dragged before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The accused persons are facing a six-count charge, including fraud and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Counsel to the EFCC, Cosmas Ogwu alleged that the accused persons and one Edwin Onyuku, now at large, collected various sums of money from Bello between May 2008 and June 2008.
Ogwu further alleged that it was under the pretext of assisting the victim’s company, BVM Productions to secure a contract with the Nigerian Football Association (NFA).
He told the court that they collected the money in five instalments of N1.1 million, N1 million, N1.2 million, N3.5 million and N850,000, respectively.
The three accused, he claimed, perpetrated the fraud using Communication Development Company Ltd., M.T. Olives and Stephen Ltd., and Utex Nig. Ltd. as fronts.
According to him, the offences contravened Section 8 (a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
However, the accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Presiding Justice Olabisi Akinlade ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prison custody and fixed Nov. 18 for ruling on their bail application.