Investment agent arraigned over N15m fraud
CCourtAn investment agent, Odia Joseph Okobiemen, was on Friday, arraigned before an Igboosere Chief Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, for allegedly defrauding a cooperative society, C&I Leasing Staff Cooperative Multi-purpose Society of the sum of N15 million, under the pretence of investing the money in an agricultural produce.
The 43 years old agent was arraigned by men of Special Fraud Unit (SFU) of the Nigeria Police Force, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, on two counts charge bordering stealing and obtaining under false pretence.
Arraigning the 43 year agent on Friday, the prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Animashaun, said the defendant committed the offence sometimes in May 2018, at the victims’ office located at 2, C&I Leasing House Leasing drive off Bisola Durosinml Etti, off Admiralty way. Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
In defrauding the victim, the prosecutor told the court that the defendant approached the management of the cooperative society and falsely presented to then an un-existing agricultural produce, which he promised them to invest the money.
He also told the court that upon receiving the sum of N15 million from the cooperative society, the defendant became evasive. Adding that it took the detectives so many months before the defendant was apprehended.
Animashaun further told the court that upon arrest and interrogation, the defendant admitted defrauding the cooperative society, consequently, he was brought before the court on the charges of stealing and obtaining under false pretence.
The offences according to the prosecutor are contrary to sections 287(5)(a) and 314(a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The defendant denied committing the allegations.
Upon his denial of the offences, he was admitted to bail in the sum of N500, 000. 00, with two responsible sureties who are gainfully employed in a reputable organisation in the like sum.
Other conditions of the bail including; three years tax from each of the sureties, means of livelihood and the sureties to have their addresses verified by the prosecutor.
Magistrate Aloba, while ordering that the defendant be remanded in prison custody pending the fulfilment of the bail terms, adjourned the matter till June 10, for trial.
Charges against the defendant read: “That you Odia Joseph Okobieme, ‘m’ Sometimes in May, 2018, at No. 2, C&I Leasing House Leasing drive off Bisola Durosinml Etti, off Admiralty way. Lekki Phase 1. Lagos, in the Lagos Magisterial district did steal the sum of Nl5, 000, 000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira Only) property of C&l Leasing Staff Cooperative Multipurpose Society and thereby committed an offence century to Section 287(5)(a) of the criminal Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2015.
The second count reads: “That you Odia Joseph Okobieme ‘m’ Sometime In May, 2018 at No. 2, Leasing House C&l Leasing Drive off Bisola Durosinmi Etti, off Admiralty way, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos In the Lagos Magisterial district, did fraudulently obtain the sum of N15, 000, 000.00 (Fifteen Million Naira Only] property of C&I Leasing Staff Cooperative Multipurpose Society under false pretence by luring them into investing in an un-existing Agricultural investment and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 314(a) of the Criminal Law Lagos State 0! Nigeria 2015”.
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