Businessman Remanded Over N48m Fraud

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A Lagos businessman, Mr. Godwin Anazodo, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrate’s Court on an eight-count charge of obtaining N48 million from the management of Lichmeck Investment Nigeria Limited on false pretence.

The operatives at the Special Fraud Unit, Milverton Street, Ikoyi, Lagos State, southwest Nigeria, stated in the charge sheet that Godwin Anazodo was arrested and arraigned following a complaint by the management of Lichmek Investment Nigeria Limited that the accused on 13 September, 2008, collected N43 million on the pretence that he has plots of land to sell to them at Itun Oko Oba village, Adekunle, Yaba and also collected N5 million to process the Certificate of Occupancy, C of O, for the plots of land, but failed to provide the land and also refused to refund the money.

The charges also stated that the accused on 9 September, 2004 in Surulere, Lagos, knowingly forged a document and presented same to Lichmek Investment Ltd as an agreement-cum root of title between Apostle Benson and Elebiju as an accredited representative of Pa Elebiju Oba and Ashogbon family of Itun Oko Oba, Makoko and with his company Gonac Nigeria Ltd, with intent that it be acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of Lichmek Nigeria Ltd.

The charges further revealed that the accused forged a survey plan No. SIA/L609 measuring 714, 225 of square metres dated 22 January 2007 of Itun Oko Oba Adekunle, Yaba and his company named Gonac Nigeria Ltd, survey plan No. 600/0388/2004/10A/LA dated 31 August, 2004 and survey plan No. 600/0338/2004/108/LA.

The accused was alleged to have sometime in 2008 fraudulently forged the signature of Sunday Elebiju in the Deed of Assignment of Elebiju Obayele Ashogbon family and on 1 to 5 April, 2005 in Surulere, with fraudulent intent, did publish official advertorial of Lagos State government land use allocation committee issuance of Certificate of Occupancy advert 772 and 734 with intent that it be acted upon as genuinely made by the land bureau of Lagos State government, a representation he knew was false.

The offences, according to the prosecutor, Barrister Frank Emerho, are punishable under Sections 312, 361, 363(1) (31) and 324 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos state Nigeria, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to him and presiding magistrate, Mrs. A. F. O. Abegunde Davies, granted him bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties one of whom must be a company executive with evidence of three years tax payment.

She also directed that one of the sureties must own a title and documents of landed property worth N10 million, while the two sureties must deposit N250,000 each in the court registrar account.

She adjourned the case till 4 February, 2012.

When the accused could not meet the bail conditions, he was ordered to be remanded in Ikoyi Prison.

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