Justice Mojisola Dada, presiding over the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, has set the stage for the final deliberations in the trial of Marco Antonio Ramirez, an American businessman, accused of a $1.2 million fraud.
The court, which has been grappling with the intricacies of the case, has scheduled December 11, 2023, for the adoption of final written addresses, bringing this high-profile legal saga one step closer to its conclusion.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been pursuing a case against Ramirez, alongside his associated companies, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, in connection with an alleged $1.2 million EB-5 visa scam. The prosecution contends that Ramirez collected this sum from unsuspecting victims as a processing fee for their investments in his company, USA Now Energy Capital Group LP. This investment, he assured them, would make them eligible for the highly sought-after USA Green Card under the Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5) United States of America Investor Programme. However, the prosecution alleges that Ramirez failed to fulfil this promise.

Initially arraigned on 12 counts, Ramirez pleaded “not guilty” to the charges. Subsequently, on June 24, 2022, the EFCC re-arraigned him on an amended 16-count charge, escalating the legal complexity of the case.
Count 13 of the amended charge states: “Between February 5, 2013, and April 18, 2013, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, dishonourably converted $545,000, the property of Godson Onyemaechi Echegile, for personal use.”
Count 14 reads: “Between July 12, 2012, and November 7, 2012, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, dishonourably converted $314,800, the property of Abubakar Umar Sadiq, for personal use.”
Count 15 reads: “Between February 19, 2013, and April 18, 2013, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and USA Now Energy Capital Group LP, dishonourably converted $230,000, the property of Abubakar Umar Sadiq, for personal use.”
Count 16 reads: “Between June 14, 2013, and September 26, 2013, at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, Marco Antonio Ramirez, USA NOW LLC, and Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP, dishonourably converted $149,000, the property of Olukayode Sodimu, for personal use.”
Despite the amended charges, Ramirez maintained his “not guilty” plea during the re-arraignment.
The subsequent legal proceedings saw the prosecution presenting its case, with Ramirez defending himself against the allegations. The defendant vehemently denied all charges of theft and obtaining money under false pretenses, and then promptly closed his case.
With the trial stage now complete, Justice Dada has scheduled December 11 and 12, 2023, for the adoption of final written addresses. This critical phase will allow both the prosecution and the defence to present their closing arguments, summarizing their respective positions on the case.
The upcoming adoption of final written addresses represents a crucial step in this high-stakes legal battle. As the case against Marco Antonio Ramirez nears its conclusion, the court’s decision will not only determine his fate but also have broader implications for cases involving alleged financial fraud and deceit in Nigeria. The trial has garnered significant attention, serving as a testament to the EFCC’s commitment to tackling financial crimes and ensuring justice is served.
The final verdict, expected in the coming months, will shed light on whether Ramirez will be held accountable for the alleged $1.2 million visa scam, which has left victims anxious for resolution and justice. It remains to be seen how the court will weigh the evidence presented and whether the prosecution can prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. In the end, the legal process will determine the outcome of this high-profile trial, and its implications are bound to be far-reaching.
Support InfoStride News' Credible Journalism: Only credible journalism can guarantee a fair, accountable and transparent society, including democracy and government. It involves a lot of efforts and money. We need your support. Click here to Donate