A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has ordered the remand of a Ponzi scheme operator, Bamise Ajetunmobi, who fled the country in 2021, over an alleged N7.5 billion fraud.
Justice Chukwuejekwu Aneke made the order on Friday after Bamise was brought before him and arraigned on a 12-count charge made against him by the men of Force Criminal Investigation Department ForceCID (Annex) Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.
The defendant pleaded not guilty.
At the arraignment, the prosecution counsel, Morufu Animashaun, a legal officer in the Force CIID, annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, told the court that the defendant conspired with his wife, Elizabeth, who is still at large, and their company, to lure victims with a fraudulent 10 percent return on investment.
Those allegedly defrauded by the defendant and the sums received from them include: Mr. Olawale Lawal from whom N1.5 billion was received, Mrs. Kate Omu from whom N500 million was received, Mr. Erhi Catherine Ojoboh from whom N2 billion was received, and Mr. Abioye Idris, from whom N3.5 billion was received.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by the defendant contravened sections 8 (a), 1(a)(c) and 1 (2) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and were punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
He also told the court that the offences were contrary to section 383 of the Criminal Code Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 390 (a) of the same.
The prosecutor also told the court that the charge against the defendant was filed in 2022, and when the defendant became elusive, the police secured a warrant of arrest from the court.
The defendant was arrested by the International Police (Interpol) in Cote D’Ivoire earlier this year.
Following an oral application by the police counsel, Justice Aneke struck out the name of the defendant’s wife from the charge, so the arraignment of Bamise could proceed.
Bamise, who was not represented by any lawyer in court, pleaded not guilty to the counts.
Following the defendant’s not-guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date.
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