EFCC re-arraigns American who allegedly defrauded Nigerians of $565,000 in green card fraud

Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned an American, Marco Antonio Ramirez, before an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos State for allegedly defrauding some Nigerians of $565,000 under the pretext of securing America’s green card.

Ramirez was re-arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada on an amended 12-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence.

The American was arraigned alongside his companies, USA Now LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Capital Group.

Ramirez was first arraigned sometimes on June 22, 2017, before Justice Josephine Oyefeso of the Ikeja High Court, on a 16-count charge.

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He had pleaded not guilty to the alleged crimes.

Following his not-guilty plea, Justice Oyefeso admitted him to bail in the sum of $25,000.

The EFCC alleged, in a charge marked ID/2763c/2016, that the American and his companies sometimes in February 2013 and August 2013 in Lagos, defrauded three Nigerians of the said sum.

Those allegedly defrauded by the American and his companies were Ambassador Godson Echejue, Abubakar Umar Sodiq and Olukayode Sodimu.

However, midway to the defendant’s trial, his case file was transferred to Justice Dada and was consequently re-arraigned on Thursday.

However at Tuesday’s proceedings, after the defendant’s plea was taken, the prosecuting Counsel, N. S. Oweize asked the court for a trial date.

But the defence Counsel, Ademola Adefolaju, not opposing to the request for a trial date, pleaded with the court to allow his client to continue with the bail terms earlier granted him by the previous judge.

When asked if the defendant had fully complied with the bail term, Adefolaju confirmed that his client had fully complied and had been visiting EFCC’s office as directed by the Court.

Justice Dada thereafter said: “Having not been shown any breaching of the bail terms granted by my brother judge, the defendant is hereby allowed to continue with the terms.”

The matter was further adjourned till October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for the trial.