Businessman remanded for allegedly defrauding American woman

An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Monday, remanded a businessman, Gbenga Ajiboye, at the Kirkiri Prisons for allegedly defrauding an American woman of 3,000 through internet fraud.

Ajiboye, in his mid twenties, was remanded by Justice Mojisola Dada following his not guilty plea to a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretenses and possession of documents containing false information.

According to Mrs Zainab Ettu, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ajiboye who goes by the alias Joseph Markley, committed the offences in Lagos between 2017 and 2018.

“Between April and October 2017, Ajiboye falsely obtained 3,000 dollars from Karen Hoyle by falsely presenting himself to her as Markley.

“He fraudulently obtained the funds by telling her that he lost his wallet and was in dire need of cash.

“The accused also had in his possession a document dated June 22, 2017 and captioned `Kenneth From Ourtime’.

“The defendant falsely described himself as Kenneth, a civil engineer who was born in Germany.

“On April 11 2018, he was found in possession of a document containing false information in which he claimed to be a widow living in Orlando, Florida,’’ the prosecutor said.

According to Ettu, the offences were in violation of Section 1(1) (a), 1(3), 6, and 8(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.

Justice Dada adjourned the case until June 8 for hearing.