Police arraigns 4 over alleged N131.2m fraud

AFTER several failed attempts by the police to arraign eight persons and two Companies over alleged N313.2 million fraud, four suspects of the alleged fraud were finally arraigned on Friday, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, on charges bordering on conspiracy and fraud.

Those arraigned before the court presided over Justice Hadiza Rabiu-Shagari are: Hon Anthony Alaka, a.k.a General: Saidi Oke: Bashir Mohammed: and Alhaji Umar Ali.

At the two occasions that the matter came up for the arraignment of the suspects, the police had informed the court that other members of the fraud syndicate who were earlier granted administrative bail have failed to report back to the police.

Those alleged to have been elusive after admitted to police’s administrative bail are: Dr Chukwuemeka Cyraicus Anyanwu Anyanwu, 50: Agboola Rasheed Gbade, 67: Nkechi Nwafor, 43: and Larry Balogun Otunba, 51.

As well as two firms: Grantland Investment Nigeria Limited and Abroad Development Foundation.

Following the failure of the police to produce the elusive members of the syndicate, the presiding judge had on Thursday, ordered the police to severe the charge for possible arraignment of the four members of the syndicate that have been in police custody for over four months.

Consequently, Akala Anthony, a.k.a. General: Umar Ali: Saidi Oke and Bashir Mohammed were arraigned on two counts charge bordering on conspiracy to wit: fraud and obtaining money under false pretense.

The police in the amended charge marked FHC/L/327c/2017, alleged that the four suspects and others now at large, had on June 15, 2017, at Lekki area of Lagos State, conspired among themselves to obtain the sum of N312.2 million part of N359 million, from Austin  Albert, under false pretence of selling to the complaint $1 million USD.

The police also alleged that the four after fraudulently received the money from the victim, converted same to their personal use.

The offences according to the prosecutor, Moroof Animashaun are contrary to sections 8(b) and 1(3) and punishable under sections 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

All the accused however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Following the pleas of the accused persons, their lawyer, Akeem Balogun, pleaded with the court to admit bail to his clients in the most liberal term.

Balogun particularly informed the court that his clients have been in police custody for over four months, this he said the police did in high disregard to an order of an Abuja High Court, which had earlier ordered that his clients should be unconditionally release.

In opposing the accused persons’ bail applications, the prosecutor said the police had not disobeyed any court order.

Animashaun told the court that the order of the Abuja’s court lapsed on September 24, while the police had filed the charge before then.

Consequently, he urged the court not to grant the bail application.

The presiding judge, Justice Rabiu-Shagari after listened to the submissions of both parties, adjourned till October 24, for ruling on the bail applications, and commence of trial of the accused persons.

The judge however ordered that the accused persons be remanded in prisons custody.

The judge also reaffirmed the bench warrant earlier issued against Dr Chukwuemeka Cyraicus Anyanwu Anyanwu: Agboola Rasheed Gbade: Nkechi Nwafor: and Larry Balogun Otunba, who were alleged to have jumped bail.