Alleged N56m Fraud: Court Commences Businessman’s Trial Oct. 26
A Lagos Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Daniel Osiagor, has fixed October 26, 2021, for the commencement of trial of a Nigeria businessman, Victor Ogiemwonyi, who is facing alleged N56 million fraud.
Ogiemwonyi and his company, Partnership Investment Company Limited, are being prosecuted before the court by the Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) arm of the Nigeria Police, on a three count-charge of Conspiracy and obtaining the the sum of N56 million from another businessman, one Chukwunonso Ayodele Obiah.
Both Ogiemwonyi and his company were alleged to have carried out the fraudulently act, through a Manager Cheques with the pretext that he will sell and Pass the title of his property consisting of three (3) Bedroom with appurtenances, situate at flat 513, cluster B, Block4, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island Lagos to him, a representation he knew to be false.
The defendant was formerly arraigned before Justice Rilwan Aikawa, who has been transferred to another jurisdiction of the court.
Justice Osiogor fixed October 26, for the commencement of the Businessman’s trial, after he was re-arraigned before the court on the allegations by the PSFU’s Officer-In-Charge of Legal Department, Mr. Emmanuel Jackson, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP).
CSP Jackson, had told the court that the offences committed by both Ogiemwonyi and his company, are contrary to Sections 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud And Other Fraud Related Offences Act, and section 15(1)(b) &15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)Act, 2011. And punishable under the same Acts.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the counts charge.
Following their not guilty plea, Justice Osiogor ruled that the defendant continue on the bail earlier granted them as both had been granted bail by the former judge.
Justice Osiagor thereafter, adjourned the matter till October 26, 2021 for the commencement of defendants’ trial.
The charge against the defendants reads: “That you Victor Ogiemwonyi ‘m’ and Partnership Investment Company Limited on or about the month of June, 2015, in Victoria Island, Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, conspired together to commit an offence to wit; Obtaining Money by False pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud, and other Fraud Related offence Act, 2006.
“That you Victor Ogiemwonyi ‘m’ and partnership Investment Company Limited on or about the month of February, 2017, In Victoria Island, Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, did by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtain the sum of Fifty Six Million Naira only (N56,000,000.00) from Chukwunonso Ayodele Obiah ‘m’ through a manager cheques with the pretext that you will sell and pass the title of your property consisting of three (3) Bedroom that is with appurtenances, situate at flat 513, Cluster B, Block 4, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island, Lagos, to him, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 of the Advance Fee Fraud And Other Fraud Related Offences Act and punishable under section 1(3) of the same law.
“That you Victor Ogiemwonyi ‘m’ and Partnership Investment Company Limited on or about the month of June, 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, did fraudulently convert to your own use, the sum of Fifty Six Million Naira (N56,000,000.00) being money paid to you by one Chukwunonso Ayodele Obiah ‘m’ for the sale of a property consisting of three bedroom flat situate at flat 513, Cluster B, Block 4, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island Lagos, which you failed to deliver the title document with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the resources and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 15(1)(b) &15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)Act, 2011”.
