The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 dragged a 79-year-old Clement John Adiamiko Uwemedimo aka ‘Professor’ and his co-accomplice, Prince Ajamu Sunday Adedayo before Justice Habeeb Abiru of Lagos State High Court, Ikeja.
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They were arraigned alongside their company, Command Clem Nigeria limited, on a 32 count charge for offences bordering on obtaining money under false pretences. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence when the charges were read to them. Soon after the charge was read, Jeese Daniels Onuigbo, counsel for the defendants, asked the court to grant his clients bail. He asked the court to take into consideration the constitutional right of the accused persons based on presumption of innocence until proven guilty. “My Lord with this application, we are relying on the provisions of Section 35 (1) and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And also we base it on the jurisdiction of this court. We urge the court to grant our prayers by granting the accused persons bail. We also pray that the conditions will be on the most liberal term”,he said.
They were arraigned alongside their company, Command Clem Nigeria limited, on a 32 count charge for offences bordering on obtaining money under false pretences. The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the offence when the charges were read to them. Soon after the charge was read, Jeese Daniels Onuigbo, counsel for the defendants, asked the court to grant his clients bail. He asked the court to take into consideration the constitutional right of the accused persons based on presumption of innocence until proven guilty. “My Lord with this application, we are relying on the provisions of Section 35 (1) and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. And also we base it on the jurisdiction of this court. We urge the court to grant our prayers by granting the accused persons bail. We also pray that the conditions will be on the most liberal term”,he said.
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However, Ben Ubi, counsel to EFCC, told the court that he was only handed the application for bail by the defence counsel in court, but will not oppose the application as bail is solely at the discretion of the court. But he urged the court to impose conditions that will ensure the defendants are present in court for trial,“Although I was served the bail application this morning in court, I managed to read through it, and in the interest of Justice, I will want the court to use its power of jurisdiction, but I pray the court to attach conditions that will ensure that the accused persons are present for trial.” After listening to arguments from both counsel, the court admitted the accused persons to bail in the sum Five Hundred Thousand naira each, one surety each in like sum. The sureties must be resident of Lagos State with proven addresses and evidence of tax payment.
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The case was adjourned to the 25th and 26th June, 2012 for commencement of trial. Uwemedimo and his co-accused were arrested by the Commission after it received a petition from the Central Bank of Nigeria , CBN alleging that the company, Command Clem Nigeria Limited was operating an illegal fund management business.
The case was adjourned to the 25th and 26th June, 2012 for commencement of trial. Uwemedimo and his co-accused were arrested by the Commission after it received a petition from the Central Bank of Nigeria , CBN alleging that the company, Command Clem Nigeria Limited was operating an illegal fund management business.
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One of the suspects, Umemedimo, the CEO of the Company, in his statement to the EFCC said he is an inventor of corrosive chemicals. He was said to have printed and circulated fliers and posters inviting members of the public to participate in becoming patentees in the invention of Anti-corrosive special paints.
One of the suspects, Umemedimo, the CEO of the Company, in his statement to the EFCC said he is an inventor of corrosive chemicals. He was said to have printed and circulated fliers and posters inviting members of the public to participate in becoming patentees in the invention of Anti-corrosive special paints.
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The fliers and posters which had various bank accounts urged individuals to make deposits of N30, 000 and earn N30, 000 monthly returns for the rest of their lives.
The fliers and posters which had various bank accounts urged individuals to make deposits of N30, 000 and earn N30, 000 monthly returns for the rest of their lives.
