Firm, Two Others to Be Re-Arraigned for Fraud March 28

Wale Igbintade

A firm, Bazad Trust Resources Limited and two others, Iwuagwu Onyinyechi Ann and Oyefolu Olusola, will on March 28, 2022 be re-arraigned before Justice Oluremi Omowunmi Oguntoyinbo of the Federal High Court in Abeokuta.

To this effect, an amended five-count charge have been filed against the trio by the Nigerian Police bordering on conspiracy and advance fee fraud.

According to the charge sheet, the trio were alleged to have conspired among themselves to defraud Magnetic Investment Association (MIA) represented by one Jonathan Umurhohwo of over N100 million under false pretense.

The offences are contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee fraud and other related matter offences Act Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2006, Section 1 (1) (c) and punishable under section1 (3) of the Advance Fee fraud and other related matter offences Act Laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2006 and Sections 467 and 516 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

Recall that the Ogun State Police Command had arrested the 39-year-old Onyinyechi for allegedly defrauding the church-based organisation while pretending to assist the organisation raise funds for its charity programme.

Onyinyechi was first arraigned before a judge of the court who has been transferred to Katsina State.

Consequently, Justice Oguntoyinbo who was assigned to handle the case, has set the trial to start afresh on March 28, 2022.

The arrest of Onyinyechi, according to spokesman for the command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, followed a petition by lawyer of the organisation, Godswill Ojakovo, the Principal Partner of the law firm, Oghenevweta, Barristers & Solicitors to the Commissioner of Police, Ogun State, Ahmed Iliyasu.

Ojakovo, in the petition, according to Oyeyemi, “alleged that his client was defrauded by the suspect through an act of forgery.

 “He said the suspect claimed to have received a Local Purchase Order (LPO) from a company known as Location 3 Properties and appealed to MIA organisation to fund the LPO, consequent upon which N33,118,000 was transferred online to her.”