Police arraign sex therapist, Cecilia Agu, over alleged N275m internet scam, trial fixed Oct.18
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
The trial of a 40-year-old Abuja-based sex therapist/educator, Cecilia May Agu, arraigned by the police before Justice Daniel Osiagor of a Lagos Federal High Court, over alleged N275million internet scam will commence on October 18.
The defendant was charged to court on a five-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery, fraud, and obtaining by false pretence.
After the charge was read to the defendant, she pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
The police prosecutor Samuel Eredia told the court that the defendant and others at large committed the offence on February 20, 2023, adding that the incident took place at No. 28b, Babatunde Ajose street, Admiralty Way Lekki Phase 1, Lagos State.
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Cecilia Agu was alleged to have defrauded one Babatunde Oyebode of the sum of N275million, through an electronic message and misrepresenting herself that she will help Oyebode to verify, validate and authenticate his Instagram page with celebrities and other of his clients, which she failed to do.
According to the charge, the alleged offence committed by the defendant contravened Sections 27 (a) and (b),13 and 14 (1), (2) and (3) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention) Acts, 2015, and Sections 1(a) (b) (2) and Section 11 (1) and (2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Acts, 2006.
Consequent upon her plea of not guilty, the prosecutor urged the court to fix a trial date, while asking the court to remand the defendant in Correctional Centre.
In his submission, the defendant’s counsel, Elvis E. Asia told the court that he would be praying the court for bail.
Asia told the court that he was not aware that his client was going to be arraigned this day, as he only got the information this morning.
The defence counsel further submitted that his client had been detained by the police for more than a month, and that Justice Abimbola Awogboro had earlier ordered her release, following a fundamental human rights application filed before the court, but the police disregarded the order.
“She was arrested on May 5, and after Justice Awogboro granted her bail, they have refused to release her, she is a mother of four”, counsel stated.
After hearing submission of counsel to parties, Justice Osiagor granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.
He said one of the sureties must be gainfully employed, produce an Identity card and National identification number.
The judge also ordered the defendant to deposit her international passport before the court and three recent passport photographs.
He added that the other surety must have a landed property, produce an Identity card and National identification number.
The judge consequently ordered the remand of the defendant in the Correctional Centre, pending when she is able to perfect her bail conditions.
The case was then adjourned till October 18, for commencement of trial.