EFCC Re-arraigns Medical Doctor Over Alleged $243,500 Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned a 61-year-old medical doctor, Michael Adekunle, over alleged $243,500 (about N36.5 million) fraud.
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Adekunle appeared before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye of an Ikeja High Court on a six-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining money under false pretences.
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It has been reported that the defendant, who lives at No.10, Catholic Mission St., Lagos Island, was previously arraigned on June 19, 2012, before Justice Aishat Opesanwo.
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He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted a N2 million bail.
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The re-arraignment was necessitated by Opesanwo’s transfer to the Lagos Island Division of the Lagos State High Court.
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During Thursday’s proceedings, EFCC’s Counsel, Mrs Fadeke Giwa, asked the court to order Adekunle to retake his plea.
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The court acceded to her request and the charge was read to the defendant.
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Giwa alleged that the defendant committed the offences between October 2009 and November 2010 in Lagos.
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She said Adekunle conspired with Samuel Nwankwo (now convicted) and Alhaji Atta, still at large, to obtain a total of $243,500 from one Mr Collins Turhobo.
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Giwa said the defendant obtained the money under the pretext that it represented fees and logistics for processing of a $5 million loan he had secured for Turhobo.
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According to her, the offences contravened Sections 1(1), (a) and 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006.
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It has also been reported that the offence of obtaining money by false pretences attracts between seven and 20 years imprisonment.
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However, Adekunle again pleaded innocence of the offences.
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Ipaye permitted the defendant to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him by the former trial judge.
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She adjourned the case to March 4 for trial.