EFCC Operatives
EFCC
EFCC Operatives
EFCC Arraigns Arabambi, Arowojobe for N79m
Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal
Office, on January 15, 2019 arraigned one Isaac Arabambi along with
his company, Heroes Investment Company Limited before Justice Joyce
Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State, on an
11-count charge bordering on unauthorized operation of a financial
institution and obtaining the sum of N62,326,250.60 (Sixty Two
Million, Three Hundred and Twenty Six Thousand, Two Hundred and
Fifty Naira, Sixty Kobo) only by false pretence.
One of the counts reads: “That you Isaac Arabambi between on or
about October 13, 2008 at Ibadan within the Ibadan Jurisdiction of
this Honourable Court, without a valid licence from Central Bank of
Nigeria and other relevant authorities, operates a Financial
Institution to wit: Horoes Investments Company Limited and thereby
committed an offence contrary to section 58 (1) of Banks and Other
Financial Institutions Act, Cap B3, Laws of the Federation of
Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 59(6) of the same
Act”.
Another count reads: “That you Isaac Arabambi and Heroes
Investment Limited between November 11, 2014 and December 31, 2014
at Ibadan within the Ibadan jurisdiction of this Honourable Court
with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N9,035,000 (Nine
Million and Thirty-Five Thousand Naira) only through Bank of
America from one Faloye Elizabeth Bunmi by falsely representing
that the money would be invested in her Borrowed Fund Account
domiciled with you, which representation you knew to be false and
thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a)and
punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other
Fraud Related Offences Act 2006”.
The defendant, however, pleaded “not guilty” to the 11-count
charge.
Prosecuting counsel, Mabas Mabur, thereafter applied for a trial
date and prayed the Court to remand the defendant in prison
custody.
Defence counsel, Kazeem Olaniyan however, moved an oral
application for the bail of his client, arguing that “the defendant
is brought on charges that are bailable”.
After listening to the arguments, Justice Abdulmalik, ordered
Olaniyan to file a formal application for bail on the grounds that
“this is a court of record and there is no application before the
court”.
The trial judge, thereafter, adjourned the matter to February 7,
2019 for “hearing” of bail application, and ordered the defendant
be remanded in Agodi Prison.
In another development, the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, on January 15, 2018 arraigned
one Blessing Aishatu Arowojobe before Justice Mojisola Dada of the
Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a one-count
charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence to the tune
of N7,065,000 (Seven Million and Sixty Five Thousand Naira)
only.
The petitioner alleged that Arowojobe, approached him with a
business proposal sometime in January 2018.
He further alleged that he later transferred a sum of N7,
065,000 to the defendant in February 2018 for the procurement of
‘garri’ and cassava from Edo State.
The defendant, however, allegedly diverted the money to her
personal use.
The count reads: “That you, Blessing Aishatu Arowojobe, between
February 3 and February 22, 2018 at Lagos, within the Ikeja
judicial Division, by false pretence and with intent to defraud,
obtained the sum of N7, 065,000 (Seven Million, and Sixty-Five
Thousand Naira) from one Tim Onyeator by falsely representing to
him that it was the cost of ‘garri’ business and purchase of plots
of land for cassava plants, which pretence you knew to be
false.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charge when it was
read to her.
In view of her plea, the prosecuting counsel, Franklin Ofoma,
asked the court for a trial date and also prayed that the defendant
be remanded in prison custody.
Counsel for the defendant, G.A. Elebhose, prayed the court for a
short date to allow him file and serve a bail application on behalf
of his client.
Consequently, Justice Dada adjourned the matter to January 23
and February 11, 2019 for “hearing of the bail application and
commencement of trial.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity