The Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 19, 2013 arraigned two suspects, Progress Umoera 34, and Ilenreh Douglas 28, before Justice Adebisi Akinlade of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja on an 18-count charge bordering on conspiracy and forgery contrary to section 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006.
The charge reads in part, “that Progress Umoera (a.k.a “Randy Smith”, “Doris”, “Dahima Amit”) and Ilenreh Douglas (a.k.a Kariba Williams) on or about the 7th day of February, 2012 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N611, 600 (Six Hundred and Eleven Thousand, Six Hundred Naira only) from Peter Ezeh by falsely represented
That a loan of $250,000.00 (Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars) was approved and granted by Randy Finance Loan firm and ready to be collected at EFCC’s office at 15a Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos after payment of transfer charges, IMF and EFCC clearance fees which pretence you knew to be false”.
When the charge was read to them, the defendants pleaded not guilty.
EFCC counsel, Eletu R. Alao prayed the court for a trial date and that the accused persons are remanded in prison custody.
However, counsel to the first defendant, Mahmud O Atanda informed the court that he had filed an application for bail. Also, counsel to the second defendant, Akobundu Ehiemere prayed the court to grant the bail application of his client based on some un-disclosed health condition
Justice Akinlade, after listening to all their submissions, adjourned the matter till April 25, 2013 for commencement of trial. She was silent on a date for the hearing of bail applications. She also ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kirikiri maximum prison.
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Wilson Uwujaren
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
20th February, 2013
