By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A suspected fraudster one Abdulhamid Isah was on Wednesday arraigned by the Lagos Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before a Lagos State High Court sitting at Ikeja over $63,590 fraud.
Abdulhamid Isah (defendant) was arraigned before Justice Ismail Ijelu on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, stealing and retaining proceeds of a criminal conduct.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts
The EFCC prosecutor, Mr Nwandu Ukoha told the court that the defendant had sometimes in October 2022, obtained $63,590 by false pretences. Ukoha added that the defendant also stole the said amount belonging to one Chinedu Ugokwe.
He informed the court that the money was given to Isah, with the intention to exchange same to the naira equivalent, which the defendant failed to do.
Besides, the defendant was accused of retaining the said amount, suspected to be proceeds of a criminal conduct.
Ukoha informed the court that the Offences contravened Sections 1 (1)(2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
Also, Section 278 (1) (b), (2) (1) and 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State No. 11 of 2011 and Section 17 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.
Thereafter, Ukoha urged the court to remand the defendant accordingly, pending commencement of trial, and left the bail application of the defence counsel to the discretion of the court.
The defence counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Ogbeche moved the bail application, and prayed the court to grant the application while requesting that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody.
Consequently, Justice Ijelu granted the bail application, on condition of N5 million bail sum to be paid, with two sureties in like sum. One of whom must be a blood related and must reside in Lagos State.
The Judge ordered that the sureties must present evidences of a reliable source of livelihood and that the defendant be produced at every trial date.
He then ordered the remand of the defendant in the Ikoyi Correctional Center, pending the perfection of bail and adjourned the matter until February 1, 2024 for trial.
