The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Makurdi zonal office, on Wednesday, arraigned one Owolabi Albert, before a Federal High Court sitting in Makurdi, over an alleged fraud of N2.3 million.
Owolabi was arraigned before Justice Mobolaji Olajuwon at the Federal High Court Makurdi, Benue State, on a one – count charge for allegedly obtaining money by false pretences to the tune of N2,300,000.00 (Two Million Three Hundred Thousand Naira).
Trouble started for Owolabi when the EFCC received a petition from the complainant who alleged that Albert was to buy a Toyota Camry 2010 model for him after he paid the total sum of N2,300,000.
The complaint said Albert, after receiving the said sum, did not give him the car nor return his money.
Owolabi Albert was accused of intending to defraud one Pastor Eimoye Omoji sometime in October, 2019 in Makurdi by obtaining a total sum of N2.3 Million only from him under false pretence that he would use same to clear a container at Apapa Sea Port, Lagos, carrying a Toyota Camry 2010 model ordered by him.
He was further accused of committing an offence contrary to section 1(2) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.
The defendant, however, pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charge was read to him.
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Prosecution counsel, Y. Y. Tarfa, asked for a trial date and to remand the defendant in custody pending his bail.
The counsel to the defendant, S. O. Idoko did not oppose the application for a trial date but made an oral application for bail for his client and urged the Court to grant the bail on most liberal terms.
Justice Olajuwon admitted the accused on bail in the sum of N1, 500,000.00(One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) with one surety in like sum.
It said the surety must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the Court, must be a civil servant from grade level 13 and above, and must show evidence of tax payment.
He must also submit two recent passport photographs.
Owolabi was remanded in EFCC custody pending the perfection of his bail condition.
The case was adjourned till May 13, 2020 for commencement of trial.
