By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A Bureau De Change (BDC) operator, Atoyebi Lateef Bamidele, a.k.a. Bam-Bam, was on Tuesday, arraigned before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on charges of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and stealing of N157 million, belonging to some traders in Alaba, Lagos.
Atoyebi Later Bamidele who trades under the name Prosocial International Limited, was arraigned before the vacation judge, Justice Akintayo Aluko by the officers of Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.
The arrest and arraignment of the BDC operator was sequel to a petition written to the police by the traders’ counsel, Mr. Mejulu Henry.
In the charge preferred against the BDC operator by Police prosecutor, Barrister S. O. Ayodele, it was alleged that the defendant and others now at large, between December 2022 and January 2023, obtained the total sum of N157, 206 million, with false pretence of getting the United States dollars (USD) equivalent.
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Precisely, the defendant was said to have collected the money from the traders representative, Mrs. Priscillia Oyiowo through one Obinna Ozuah.
The defendant was further alleged to have diverted his purse and used the money for his personal purposes.
According to the charge, the defendant’s alleged unlawful acts contravened Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act; CAP A8 Vol 1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act
The prosecutor also told the court that the offence of stealing against the defendant contravened Section 383 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C 38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, and punishable under Section 390 (9) of the same Act.
However, after listening to the charge preferred against the BDC operator, he denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of the defendant’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand him in custody till the determination of the charges.
But counsel to the defendant, Mr. E. A. Alafin, told the court that he has filed his client’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecution.
He urged the court to admit his client to bail in the most liberal terms.
The application was vehemently opposed by prosecutor on the ground that he needs to read through the application and file his response accordingly.
Consequently, Justice Akintayo Aluko, adjourned the matter till October 5, for hearing of the defendant’s bail application.
The judge also ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till the adjourned date.
 operator, Atoyebi Lateef Bamidele, a.k.a. Bam-Bam, was on Tuesday, arraigned before a Federal High){kind=link}