Court bars journalists from covering fraud case, remands accused persons
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Journalists were on Wednesday barred by a Yaba Chief Magistrate Court from covering the arraignment of Pastors Azuka and Mary Ohez, a husband and wife who allegedly committed a N33,829,30 million fraud.
The Police prosecutor accused Azuka and Mary of aiding to defraud Climax Lubricant Industries, having allegedly committed the offence by aiding the fraudulent act of one Chijoke Ezekirian through false prophecies.
They were arraigned before Chief Magistrate Adeola Olatubosun on two counts of conspiracy and fraud preferred against them by the police.
When the case came up, Olatubosun sent journalists out of her court and then arraigned the couple behind closed doors.
Police prosecutor Rita Momah, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, told the court the duo and some others still at large allegedly committed the offences on July 13, 2023 on Oba Ayoka Street, Lagos.
Momah alleged the couple and Ezekirian conspired to steal and received proceeds of sales from Climax Lubricants Industries in Lagos.
She alleged the couple knowingly received N33.8 million from Ezekirian through a Fidelity Bank KPICPC account numbers 2033723459 and 5600923549.
The offences contravene Sections 411, 328 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
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Court remands accused persons pending perfection of N20m bail conditions
The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges and their counsel, A. J. Alagbu, urged the court to grant them bail on liberal terms without taxpayer conditions, per reporting by The PUNCH.
The prosecutor did not oppose the request but urged the court to give a stringent condition that would prevent them from jumping bail.
The Magistrate granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each, with two sureties each in like sum.
She ordered that one of the sureties must have a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction and the court’s Registrar to verify the sureties’ addresses.
She remanded Azuka at Ikoyi Correctional Centre and Mary at Kirikiri Female Prison, pending when they fulfil their bail conditions.
The court adjourned the case until May 13 for mention.