Internet Fraudster A Flight Risk as A Borno Lawyer Arraigned for Fraud
Internet Fraudster a Flight Risk, Court Rules
Justice M. Abdulgafar of a Kwara State High Court sitting in Ilorin, Oyo State has dismissed the bail application of one Chimezie Paul who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ilorin Zonal Office for internet fraud.
Chimezie was among eight suspected internet fraudsters arrested by operatives of the EFCC Ilorin Office on February 11, 2019. He was subsequently charged to court, but his counsel, M.O. Yusuf, moved the application for his bail.
Counsel for the EFCC, Ola Sesan, had however objected to the application for bail, arguing that there was strong evidence against the defendant.
“The defendant is a flight risk and if released on bail, he might not attend the proceedings of the court to answer the criminal charges levelled against him,” he said.
Ruling on the application on April 11, 2019, Justice Abdulgafar held that the defendant “failed to convince the Court on reasons why the request should be granted”.
The judge further held that: “The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses and exhibits tendered so far by the EFCC were very strong and reliable, and the accused person may jump bail if the request is granted.
“The extra judicial statements of the defendant which he made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission showed that he confessed to the crime levelled against him.”
The presiding judge, thus, dismissed the application and resolved all the issues raised in favour of the prosecution.
Chimezie is facing a six-count charge bordering on advance fee fraud.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Chimezie Paul (alias Gary Jason) on or about the 12th day of February, 2019, in Ilorin within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, with intend to defraud, had in your possession a fraudulent document titled ‘Google Account’ containing false pretence which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 6 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1 of the same act.”
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
April 11, 2019
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EFCC Arraigns Lawyer for N10m Fraud in Borno
The Economic and Financial Crimes, EFCC, Maiduguri zonal office, has arraigned one Hurso Abba Amma, a lawyer, before Justice Fadawu Umar of the Borno State High court, sitting in Maiduguri on two separate charges.
Amma is alleged to have fraudulently induced one Alhaji Ahmed Kois Abdulkarim to deliver to him the sum of N7 million, under the false pretence that he was selling two plots of land to him as the beneficiary owner.
The charge reads: “That you, Hurso Abba Amma, on or about the 2nd day of November, 2015 at Maiduguri Borno State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, induced one Alhaji Ahmed kois Abdulkarim to deliver to you the sum of N7,000,000 (Seven Million Naira) in payment of consideration for the sale of 2Nos. of plots of land lying and situated at Nos. 9&10 Dejere Area, Adjacent to Gidan Dambe, Bama Road, Maiduguri, Borno State under the false pretence that you are the Bona fide owner consequent to which you where selling same to him, which fact you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 1(1)(b) and 1(3) of the Advance fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 respective.”
On the other charge, Amma is alleged to have induced Muhammad Nur to deliver to him the sum of N3 million under the false pretence that he was authorized to sell a house.
The charge reads: “That you, Hurso Abba Amma, between September and November 2016, at Maiduguri, Borno State within the Jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, induced one Muhammad Nur to deliver to you the sum of N3,000,000 (Three Million Naira) in payment consideration for purported sale of a house situated at behind Umar Shehu Hospital, Maiduguri, Borno State under the false pretence that you were authorized to sell same for and on behalf of the real owner, which fact you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under sections 1(1)(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 respectively.”
The defendant pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
Counsel for the prosecution, A.U. Ringim, thereafter, prayed the court for a trial dates and for the defendant to be remanded in prison.
Justice Umar has adjourned the case for the first charge to May 13, 2019 and the second to May 15, 2019 for “definite hearing” and ordered the remand of Amma in prison.
Tony Orilade
Ag. Head, Media & Publicity
