10th February, 2017
The accused was arraigned alongside his co-accused, Oyekan Ayomide.
In the charge marked FHC/L/40c/2017, filed before the court by the SCIID’s head of legal department, Chief Superintendent of Police Effiong Asuquo the accused were alleged to have between 2016 and February 2, 2017, defrauded Bureau de Change operators at various places in Lagos State to the tune of N40,647 million; $29, 800,00 USD; and £4, 815 United Kingdom Pounds Sterling.
The offences, according to the prosecutor, are contrary to sections 8 and 1(1)(a)(B)(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and punishable under section 1(1) of the same Act.
Among the BDC operators allegedly defrauded by the accused were Issa Adamu, Mohammed Sanni, Jubril Ado, Hassan Amodu, Bala Mohammed, Sanni Hassan, Abdullahi Mumuni, Suraju Garuba, Mutairu Shuaibu, Sanusi Muhammad, Kabiru Jubril.
Others include: Barowo Abdullahi, Yahu, Abubakar Musa, Abdullahi Babatunde, Nasir Musa, Umaru Haruna, Umaru Sanni, Mohammed Bello, Mohammed Alli, Abdulrazaq Sanni, Tairu Musa, Sulaiman Sheu, Amadu Abda and Dauda Ibrahim.
Count one of the charge against the two accused reads: “That you, Olajide Oluwaseun Karrem and Oyekan Ayomide, on or about 2nd February, 2017, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court by false pretence and with intent to defraud conspired to obtain the sum of N2. 450, 000 million; £3000 Pounds Sterling from one Alhaji Isa Adamu, and therefore committed an offence contrary to Section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences, and punishable under the same Act.)”.
The two accused pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Upon their non guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Innocent Anyigor, urged the court to remand them in prison custody pending trial.
But their lawyer, A. O. Gbadamoshi, pleaded with the Court to give date for the hearing of his clients’ bail applications. He told the court that he is yet to file any bail application.
Consequently, the presiding judge, Justice Oluremi Oguntoyinbo, ordered that the two accused persons be remanded in prison’s custody and adjourned the matter till March 10, for trial.
Akin Kuponiyi