Police To Arraign Obanikoro’s Son Over Alleged N1.3bn Fraud
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed February 27, 2025, for the arraignment of son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Gbolahan and four other accomplices over an alleged ₦1.356 billion fraud.
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has fixed February 27, 2025, for the arraignment of son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Gbolahan and four other accomplices over an alleged ₦1.356 billion fraud.
They five persons would face five charges involving conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences as well as false representation and fraud.
Those to be arraigned alongside Gbolahan include Adejare Adegbenro, 51; Balmoral International Limited; M.O.B. Integrated Limited; and DDSS International Company Limited.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa set the new date on January 24 after the defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment.
The prosecution Counsel, Momoh Bello, har during the proceedings, requested a bench warrant for the defendants, arguing they had been served notices.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa set the new date on January 24 after the defendants failed to appear in court for their scheduled arraignment.
The prosecution Counsel, Momoh Bello, har during the proceedings, requested a bench warrant for the defendants, arguing they had been served notices.
However, counsel for the fourth defendant, Joshua Abel, opposed the request, stating that his client—a company—received late service adding that the directors of the firm, who were abroad, had not been adequately briefed.
In his ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa examined the proof of service, noting that the first and second defendants, who were natural persons, had not been properly served, adding that, "While there was evidence of service for the third and fourth defendants, the prosecution must regularize service for the remaining parties."
In his ruling, Justice Lewis-Allagoa examined the proof of service, noting that the first and second defendants, who were natural persons, had not been properly served, adding that, "While there was evidence of service for the third and fourth defendants, the prosecution must regularize service for the remaining parties."
The Inspector General of Police, through the Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, Lagos, had alleged that, the defendants and others at large allegedly conspired between May and September 2013 to fraudulently obtain ₦1.356 billion from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank).
The police claim the defendants misrepresented themselves as engaged in importing cars from Dubai, stating the funds were needed to finance the importation of new vehicles for resale. The defendants allegedly converted and retained the funds for personal use, knowing the money was proceeds of unlawful activity, contrary to Section 8(i)(a) and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, No. 14 of 2006, as well as Section 18(2)(b) and (d) and 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
The police claim the defendants misrepresented themselves as engaged in importing cars from Dubai, stating the funds were needed to finance the importation of new vehicles for resale. The defendants allegedly converted and retained the funds for personal use, knowing the money was proceeds of unlawful activity, contrary to Section 8(i)(a) and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, No. 14 of 2006, as well as Section 18(2)(b) and (d) and 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
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