The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday November 27, 2013 arraigned one Richard Onomeh Akaighe, before Justice Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Warri on one count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence. Richard allegedly obtained the sum of N28, 312,570 (Twenty Eight Million, Three Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred and Seventy Naira) from one Anunwa Jeremiah through phony petroleum products supply deal.
According to the complainant, the accused person refused to pay him the said sum, being the cost of five truck load of automotive gas oil which he supplied to Chevron yard in Delta State since May, 2012.
The charge reads, “that you Richard Onomeh Akaighe being the Managing Director of Global Upstream Solution Limited sometimes in May, 2012 at Effurun within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud did induce one Anuwa Jeremiah to confer a benefit on you by delivering five trucks of diesel (AGO) amounting to Twenty Eight Million Three Hundred and Twelve Thousand Five Hundred and Seventy Naira (N28,312,570.00) only under a false representation that you shall pay him within two weeks after supply is made, a pretext you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (b) & (2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”.
When the charge was read to the accused, he pleaded not guilty.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, F.O Dibang prayed the court for a date for the commencement of trial. But defence counsel, Jah’swill Onyemah-Iwe urged the court to grant the accused bail.
Justice Abubakar granted the accused bail in the sum of Ten Million Naira (N10, 000,000.00) and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be senior civil servants, one of whom must be on GL15.
The case has been adjourned to the January 26, 2014 for the commencement of trial.
