19th December, 2015
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Friday re-arraigned three persons: Ifeanyi Anosike, Emeka Chukwu and Ngozi Ekeoma and their companies, Anosyke Group of Companies Limited and Dell Energy Limited, before Justice Lateef Lawal Akapo of the Lagos State High Court sitting at Ikeja on an amended 35-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence, attempt to obtain property by false pretence, conspiracy to forge documents, forgery and uttering a false document.
The accused persons were said to have conspired among themselves to obtain the sum of N324,780,567.53 by false pretence from the Federal Government of Nigeria as subsidy payment for the importation of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS.
One of the charges reads: “Anosyke Group of Companies Limited, Ifeanyi Anosike, Dell Energy Limited, Emeka Chukwu, Ngozi Ekeoma between 11th March, 2011 and 20th January, 2012 within the Jurisdiction of this honourable court conspired to commit an offence to wit: obtaining the sum of N324,780,567.53 by false pretence from Federal Government of Nigeria purporting the said sum to be subsidy payment under the petroleum support fund for the purported importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from Europe to Nigeria through Mercuria Trading N.V.”
When the charge was read to the defendants, they all pleaded not guilty.
In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, Ayo Olukotun asked for a trial date.
Counsel to the first and second defendants, L. A. Opawoye prayed the court to allow the defendants continue in the bail earlier granted them by the court. The same view was canvassed by Romeo Ese Michael and Dele Awokoya counsel to the 3rd, 4th and 5th defendants.
Justice Lawal Akapo granted the prayers of the defendants and adjourned the case till March 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, and 16, 2016 for trial.