Suspected fraudster docked over N1.8b fraud, remanded until perfection of bail terms
By Jude-Ken Ojinnaka
A suspected fraudster, Tata Thomas Oluwafemi Michael arraigned by the Police Special Fraud Unit Ikoyi before Justice Peter Lifu (JP) of a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos over alleged N1,843,000,000 fraud will be in Nigerian Correctional Services, Ikoyi until he perfects his bail terms.
Justice Lifu ordered the remand of the defendant after he pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the 9-count charge preferred against him by the Police
In the charge filed by the Prosecuting Counsel Chukwu Agwu, he stated that the alleged offences were committed between the year 2020 and May, 2022 in Lagos State, and within the jurisdiction of the Court.
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He further stated that the defendant through his Guaranty Trust Bank Plc Account Number 0164536253, Zenith Bank Plc Account Number: 2179082711, First Bank of Nigeria Plc Account Numbers: 3062256110 and 2042628891, fraudulently obtained from one Danyan Amankop Udoh ‘F’ various sum of money under the pretence that he will use or invest same in Interest Yielding Businesses, which he knowingly or reasonably ought to know that such fund is, or forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful act.
According to the charge the offences are allegedly committed by the defendant are contrary to Section 18 (2) (b) and punishable under Section 18 (3) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibitions) Act, 2022.
When the charge was read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty to all the nine (9) counts.
Following his not guilty plea, the defence counsel, Mr. J.N Atawodi apologized to the court for not filing written application for bail, but urged the court to allow him move his application orally.
Responding, the prosecutor opposed the application, submitting that the defendant has placed nothing before the court, hence cannot make oral application for bail.
However, in his Ruling, Justice Peter Lifu held that the court has inherent jurisdiction to adjudicate on criminal matters.
Justice Lifu further held that bail is a constitutional right guaranteed under Section 36 of the 1999 constitution.
Consequently, the court granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100 million with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties must swear affidavit of means and attached photographs of themselves and that of the defendant.
The judge ruled; “I have considered the fact that the defendant has been in custody for more than 40 days without trial for a bailable offence. I have decided to consider the liberty of the defendant at this pre-trial stage.
“In that wise, I have advised myself by the principle of precedence, and legal authorities. I thereby admit the defendant to bail in the following terms and conditions:
” N100million and two sureties in like sum. The two sureties must swear affidavit of means and attached photographs of themselves and that of the defendant.
“One of the sureties must be a civil servant of the State or Federal level and not bellow grade level 14. The other surety must provide evidence of tax clearance, and registered title of a landed property. The claims of the defendant and that of the sureties shall be verified.
“The defendant is to be remanded in Ikoyi Correctional Centre until his bail claims are perfected. The case is adjourned till 18th October 2023 for hearing.