Two suspected fraudsters have been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC for defrauding an Australian, Flora A. Veith to the tune of over Twelve Thousand US Dollars, by falsely disclosing to her that the said sum represented part of thedelivery cost of the sum of $1, 300,00 USD “Lottery Money” .
The suspected fraudsters, Abiola Ayanlaja who is also known as Elvis Wells and Michael Atirene were arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on an 18 count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money under false pretences contrary to section 8 of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Cap. A6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria , 2006.
One the charge reads: “Abiola Ayanlaja (a.ka. Elvis Wells), Michael Atirene and Chidi (a.k.a Emmanuel Nicky) still at large on or about the 19th day of May, 2011 at Ikeja within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud conspired to obtain the sum of $6,047.77(Six Thousand Forty Seven United States of America Dollars Seventy-Seven Cents) from Flora A. Veith of Australia by falsely representing to her that the said sum represented part of the delivery cost of the sum of $1,300,00 USD “Lottery Money” which representation you knew to be false.”
When the charges were read to the accused persons, they both pleaded not guilty to all the 18 count charges. The prosecution counsel, Abosede Bosede then prayed the court to give a date for the commencement of trial, assuring that the prosecution is ready with all information and witnesses needed for trial. She also asked the court to remand the two suspects in prison custody.
“In view of the plea of the defendants I will be asking for a trial date and they should be remanded in prison custody.’’
But counsel to the first defendant, M. M Duwa said they have just filed an application for bail. He asked the court to allow for argument on the appllication. However, the EFCC counsel objected to the request. She said the bail application was just served on her in court and will require time to respond to it.
Justice Onigbanjo then fixed July 5th , 2012 for hearing of the bail application and remanded the accused persons in Kirikiri Maximum Prison.