21st February, 2022
Akin Kuponiyi
A Federal high court sitting in Lagos has adjourned till 5 May the trial of self-acclaimed investment banker, 21 year-old Dominic Joshua Ngene, who swindled investors of about N2 billion.
His company Brisk Capital limited and Divinewill Malachi Umoh were arraigned along with him.
A 14-count charge was filed by Police Special Fraud Unit Milverton Road Ikoyi.
The charge was filed by E.A.Jackson and J. I. Enang,
According to the charge, Dominic Joshua Ngene, Divinewill Malachi Umoh 24 and Brisk Capital Limited between October 2020 and March 2021 with intent to defraud conspired together to commit felony.
This was executed, the charge says, by obtaining money by false pretence from unsuspecting public.
The duo and Brisk Capital then converted the funds and thereby committed offence contrary to section 8(a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related Offences Act,2006.
It was further alleged that, Dominic Joshua Ngene, Divinewill Malachi Umoh,same time and place, with intent to defraud, fraudulently obtained N2,372,855,000 from thirteen different people under the pretext of investing the money in Oil and Gas and forex trading.
The accused who pleaded not guilty are currently on bail.
Ngene who is the CEO of the company hails from Ebonyi State and operated from Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.
He was picked up by the police following petitions from some of the investors he scammed.
Detectives said he lured his victims via social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Investors were allegedly duped in cash and cryptocurrency trading.
He promised investors 60 percent ROI (Return on Investments) in real estate, forex, oil and gas, e.t.c
Before the long arm of the law caught up with him, Ngene lived a lavish lifestyle, feeding on money entrusted to him by about 500 investors.
He threw lavish parties and bought exotic cars, luxury watches and real estates in Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.