The trio of Dayo Jimoh, Victor Ochola and Obaje Musa Mohammed were yesterday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice A.R. Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja on a 27-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretense to the tune of N220,000,000 (Two Hundred and Twenty Million Naira).
The accused persons allegedly approached the complainant, Mohammed Jibrin, Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Suntrust Savings and Loans Limited, with a promise that they could help him secure some government houses purportedly being sold by the Ad-hoc Committee on sale of Federal Government houses.
However, the complainant alleged that he was issued forged offer letter and payment receipts, after he had made payment vide bank drafts to various accounts belonging to the accused persons.
Count one of the charge reads:
‘‘That you, Dayo Jimoh, Victor Ochola, Obaje Musa Mohammed and others still at large sometime in January, 2014 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit an unlawful act to wit: obtaining money by false pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under Sections 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”
The accused persons pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to them.
In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Johnson A. Ojogbane, asked for a trial date.
However, the defence counsel, Ojo Olukayode, moved an application for the bail of the first accused person.
Consequently, Justice Mohammed remanded the accused persons in prison custody.
The case has been adjourned to June 30, 2016 for hearing of the bail application. [EFCC]
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