EFCC Arraigns Suspected Internet Fraudster For N425m Fraud In Port Harcourt
The Port Harcourt Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned a suspected internet fraudster: Samuel Akunomah before Justice A.T Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He was arraigned on August 6, 2021 on 45-counts bordering on internet fraud, impersonation and obtaining money under false pretense to the tune of Four Hundred and Twenty- Five Million Naira only. (N 425,000, 000).
One of the counts reads: “That you Samuel Akunomah, Omena Precious Okeren (still at large) and Shittu Adebayo (still at Large) Austin Chibike (still at Large) Charemon Golden (still at Large) sometime in 2020, at Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, directly took possession of the sum of Forty-One Million Naira (N 41,000,000.00) in First Monument Bank Account No. 4915799016 in the name of Skillz Nigeria Enterprises, money which to your knowledge formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (1)(2) (d) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended ) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
Another count reads : “That you Samuel Akunomah, Omena Precious Okeren (still at large) and Shittu Adebayo (still at large) Austin Chibike (still at large) Charemon Golden (still at large) sometime in 2020, at Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, directly took possession of the sum of Thirty-Four Million Naira (N 34,000,000.00) in First Monument Bank Account No. 4915799016 in the name of Skillz Nigeria Enterprises, money which to your knowledge formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (1)(2) (d) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended ) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, S.M.H. Ibekute prayed the court to remand the defendant in Port Harcourt’s Correctional Centre pending the commencement of trial. However, defence counsel, Daninagbo Davies opposed the prayer of the prosecution and sued for his bail.
Justice Mohammed reserved ruling on the bail application but ordered his remand in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre pending the determination of his application.
The defendant’s trouble began when he was arrested by the operatives of the EFCC on June 28, 2021, at Royal Palm Estate, Peter Odili Road, Port Harcourt following some established intelligence linking him with internet fraud and other internet-related activities.
EFCC Arraigns Man For Alleged N5m Fraud
The Kano Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, today August 10, 2021 arraigned one Abdulrahaman Musa Dakata, before Justice Hafsat Yahaya Sani of the Kano State High Court on a one count charge bordering on fraudulent conversion and theft.
The defendant was arrested by operatives of the EFCC following a complaint by one Alhaji Uba Zubairu Yakasai who alleged that he transferred Five Million Naira to the defendant for the purchase and safe keeping of Roselle plant flower “ZOBO”. But he allegedly sold the goods and converted the money to personal use.
The charge reads, “that you Abdulrahaman Musa Dakata, sometime in the year 2017 in Kano, within the Jurisdiction of the Kano State High Court, while being entrusted with the sum of N5,000,000 (Five Million Naira)by Alhaji Uba Zubairu Yakasai for the purchase and safe keep of Roselle plant flower (ZOBO) did commit Criminal Breach of Trust to wit: dishonesty disposed of the purchased Roselle plant flower (ZOBO) and converted the proceeds to your own use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Laws of Kano State and Punishable under Section 312 of the same Penal Code Laws of Kano State”.
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel Douglas Gift, prayed the court for a hearing date and an order to remand the defendant in prison.
The defence counsel however informed the court of pending application for the bail of his client and urged the court to admit the defendant to bail.
Justice Hafsat adjourned the matter till August 19, 2021 for hearing of the bail application and remanded the defendant in the Correctional Centre, Kano.
Fake Charity: EFCC Arrests Two For N 21m Fraud In Kaduna
The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arrested the duo of Michael Yusuf Michael and Martha Daniel, promoters of MYM123CARE, for allegedly obtaining money by false pretence.
Their arrest followed a petition alleging that the suspects on the pretext of providing aid to the needy, solicited for funds from the general public through the Foundation but converted the proceeds to personal use.
Investigation revealed that on 22nd March, 2021, Yusuf Michael posted a video of a woman with breast cancer and solicited for donation from public-spirited individuals who responded by donating money into MYM123CARE’s account domicile in a first generation bank. The account which was in the red, had by March 26, 2021 recorded a credit balance of N21, 515,962.75k.
The woman for whom the fund was supposed raised later died in the hospital.
The suspect upon receiving the monies, went on a spending spree, transferring various sums to third-parties who used the monies to purchase various properties ranging from real estate, automobiles and electronic equipment.
The suspect will soon be charged to court.
Media & Publicity
10 August, 2021
