- …re-arraigns businesswoman over N110m fraud in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on March 16, 2023, arraigned one Prof. Uche Chigozie Edwin for an alleged N1.4bn fraud before Justice Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos.
Edwin was arraigned alongside his companies, Visionary Integrated Consulting Limited, NEMAD Associates Limited and Revamp Global Enterprise, on an 11-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention and conversion of funds to the tune of N1, 473,367,046.04 (One Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy-three Million, Three Hundred and Sixty-seven Thousand, Forty-six Naira, Four Kobo).
He pleaded “not guilty” to the 11-count charge.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, C.C.Okezie, asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant be remanded.
The defence counsel, Mobolaji Akintunde, in response, made an application for bail on behalf of his client.
Akintunde prayed the court to admit his client to bail and also for his remand in the EFCC custody pending the perfection of the bail, if granted by the court.
In a short ruling, Justice Oweibo admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N1m (One Million Naira) and two sureties in like sum.
The sureties must possess landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, show a tax clearance certificate of three months as well as their passport photographs.
The defendant was also ordered to deposit his passport with the court.
The matter was adjourned till June 27, 2023 for the commencement of trial.
EFCC re-arraigns businesswoman over N110m fraud in Lagos
The Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday, March 16, 2023, re-arraigned one Portia Emilia for an alleged N110m fraud before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
Emilia was re-arraigned alongside her company, Savanah Crest Investment Limited, on an amended five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, contrary to Section 411 and punishable under section 287 (5) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015; obtaining money and property by false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1)(2) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Fraud Offences Act 2006; Stealing, contrary to Section 280(1) (12)8(7), 285(1) and 278(1)b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011; and retaining stolen property, contrary to Section 328 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Emilia, who also took the plea of the company, pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges.
The prosecution counsel, F. Ofoma, informed the court that the prosecution would close its case, having called two witnesses, through whom several documentary evidence were tendered.
“The prosecution hereby applies to close its case,” he said.
The defence counsel, J.J. Amodu, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him prepare for his case. “We also pray this Honourable Court to, upon the re-arraignment of the defendant, allow her to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted by the court,” he said.
The prayer of the defence was granted and the case adjourned till June 22, 2023 for defence.
