Lagos businesswoman arraigned over alleged N1.8bn fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) On Wednesday, dragged a businesswoman Titilayo Eboh, before an Ikeja Special Offences Court over alleged N1.8 billion fraud.

Eboh was arraigned alongside a company called Chayomi Aluminum Ltd, and one Abubakar Funtua (now at large), on three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money by false pretence.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Mr Nnaemeka Omenwa, consequently, urged the court to order a remand of the defendant, pending trial.

He informed the court that defence counsel had sent a bail application to his email, on a sister case involving the defendant, pending before a brother judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi.

He told the court that he required clarification from defence counsel, so as to know which application to rely on before he files a response.

In response, defense counsel Mr. Emefo Etudo said he was not a party to what happen before Justice Oshodi.

He consequently, prayed the court to give multiple trial dates while bail application should be given earlier date for hearing, following discussions with the prosecution.

Justice Mojisola Dada, ordered the remand of the defendant  and adjourned the case until March 24, for hearing of the bail application.

EFCC alleged in one of the counts that the defendant, with one other still at large, committed the offence between Dec. 2 2020 and Jan. 25 2021, in Lagos.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant obtained the sum of N1.8 billion from one Mr. Olamayowa Abdulwasiu-Olabisi and Mr. Adekanmi Adedire of Himark Intertrades Ltd, with intent to defraud.

She was alleged to have told the nominal complainants that she had the dollar equivalent of the said sum to exchange for them at the rate of N420 per dollar, knowing same to be false.

The prosecution alleged that the defendant dishonestly converted the sum of N458.2 million belonging to the complainants, to her personal use.

The sum is the equivalent of 1.9 million dollars at the exchange rate of N450 to a dollar.

The offences contravene the provisions of sections 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

It also contravenes the provisions of section 278 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.