Ladipo Market leader arraigned over N52m fraud

Henry Ojelu

Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today arraigned the embattled President of Aguiyi Ironsi Market, popularly known as Ladipo Market, Mr Jonathan Okoli before an Ikeja High Court in over an alleged N52 million fraud.

Mr Okoli is facing a three-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.

The embattled leader had earlier been arraigned before a different court over charges of attempted murder.

EFCC counsel, Mr Anslem Ozioko, alleged that Okoli had between 2009 and 2010, collected a total sum of N52 million from members of Aguiyi Ironsi International Market Traders Union.

Ozioko said the money was entrusted to Okoli for the payment of Trade Permits and Auto Dealers fees by members of the association.

The prosecutor alleged that Okoli diverted the money to his personal use and failed to remit the payments to the Lagos State Government and Mushin Local Government Council.

He said Okoli’s alleged offences contravened Sections 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006 and 390(8) (b) and (9) of the Criminal Code Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Akinlade ordered him to be remanded in Ikoyi Prison pending the hearing of his bail application fixed for 16 May, 2013.