Court Orders Final Forfeiture Of N1.3bn To FG
Justice Mohammed Mohammed of the Sokoto State High Court yesterday Monday July 19, 2021 granted a final Order, forfeiting the sum of N1, 362,675,353.56 (One Billion, Three Hundred and Sixty Two Million, Six Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand, Three Hundred and Fifty Three Naira, Fifty Six Kobo) to the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The Judge had on July 2, 2021 granted an interim Order of forfeiture of the said amount following an exparte application by the Commission and directed that the order be published in a national newspaper for any one with interest in the said asset to show cause, why it should not be finally forfeited the Federal Government of Nigeria.
At today’s hearing, counsel to the EFCC, S. H Sa’ad informed the Court that the Commission had complied with its order for the publication of the interim Order and urged the Court to Order the final forfeiture of the said amount to the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Counsel to the five respondents, Shamsu Dauda did not oppose the application. Justice Mohammed consequently ordered the final forfeiture of the sum to the Federal Government.
The Sokoto Zonal Office of the EFCC had through intelligence traced the funds, suspected to be proceeds of illicit activities to the account of the first respondent, Aishatu Bandado Magaji domiciled in a new generation bank.
The respondents in the charge are Aishatu Bandado Magaji, First Ninety Degrees Continental Ltd, Priceless Legacy Hub Ltd, ABM International Ltd and Zenith Bank Plc.
EFCC Arraigns Man for Credit Card Fraud in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on July 19, 2021 arraigned one Ahmed Soetan Adebola before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
He was arraigned on a six-count charge bordering on possession of document containing false pretence contrary to Section 318 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
One of the counts reads: “Ahmed Soetan Adebola sometime between 2019 and December 2020 in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court retained in your control several Credit Cards titled, “DELTA SKYMILES” AMERICAN EXPRESS which you used in making payments for your hotel bills, which Credit Cards you knew to have been obtained from unsuspecting members of the public.”
Another count reads: “Ahmed Soetan Adebola on or about 16th day of December, 2020 in Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud had in your possession document titled “MANAGER’S CHEQUE” NO: 3052643382 dated 23-12-2020 drawn in favour of ANCHORAGE LEISURES LIMITED (RADISSON BLU) in the sum of N1,200,000 (One Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira) in order to deceive unsuspecting members of the public, which representation you knew to be false.”
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Subsequently, the prosecuting counsel, Ebareotu Pereagbe, prayed the Court for a trial date “to enable the prosecution prove its case against the defendant”.
Adjourning till October 18 and 19, 2021 for trial, Justice Dada further ruled on the bail application of the defendant which was before the Court and granted him bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum, who must have landed property in Ikeja and must show evidence of tax payment in past three years.
Court Sends Two Internet Fraudsters to Two Years in Prison
The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today July 19, 2021 secured the conviction of two internet fraudsters – Noah Omoregbe (a.k.a Frank Mark) and Destiny Efewengbe (a.k.a William Scot ) before Justice Efe Ikponmwonba of the Edo State High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State.
The defendants were arraigned on one count charge each of personation and intent to defraud contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of defunct Bendel State of Nigeria (as applicable in Edo State) 1976 and punishable under the same Law.
The charge against Omoregbe reads: “that you Noah Omoregbe (a.k.a Frank Mark) on or about the 21st day of June 2021 at Yoruba Street, Benin City, within the jurisdiction of this Hounourable Court, did with intent to defraud, falsely represented yourself as one Frank Mark, an American Soldier, and sent scam messages to one Liud Mila via your iPhone X with IMEI No: 354862090120911 with intent to obtain money from her and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48 Laws of defunct Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo State) , 1976 and punishable under the same Law.”
The charge against Efewengbe reads: “that you Destiny Efewengbe (a.k.a William Scot) on or about the 7th day of May, 2021 at Ugbor Area, Benin City, within the jurisdiction of this Hounourable Court did with intent to defraud falsely represented yourself as one William Scot (a white man ) and sent scam messages to one Yaun Tested via your iPhone 11 pro Max with IMEI No: 353926104836894 with intent to obtain money from her and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 48, Laws of defunct Bendel State of Nigeria ( as applicable in Edo State) 1976 and punishable under the same Law.”
Upon arraignment, the defendants pleaded guilty to the charges .
In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Ibrahim Mohammed prayed the court to convict and sentence the defendants accordingly. However, the defence counsel, Pascal Ugbome pleaded with the court to temper justice with mercy and honour the plea bargain agreement between his clients and the prosecution.
Justice Ikponmwonba convicted and sentenced Omoregbe to two (2) years imprisonment with option of fine of Two Hundred Thousand Naira ( N 200,000 ), while Efewengbe ( a.k.a William Scott ) was sentenced to six months imprisonment with an option of Two Hundred Thousand Naira ( N200,000) as fine.
Justice Ikponwonba also ordered that items recovered by the prosecution during investigation be forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria
