* Source : 123RF.com
Story By Gbenga Ogunbufunmi
A Nigeria businessman, Victor Ogiemwonyi and his firm, Partnership Investment Limited, are currently standing trial before the Federal High Court, Lagos over Alleged N56 million fraud.
Ogiemwonyi and his firm were charged before Justice Rilwan Aikawa on a three-count charge of alleged conspiracy to obtaining N56 million by false pretence by the men of Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU) Ikoyi-Lagos.
He was alleged to have collected the money from Chukwunonso Ayodele Obiah through a UBA manager cheque, sometimes in the month of June 2015.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Mr. Daniel Apochi, are contrary to 8(a)1(1)(a)(e) of the advance fee fraud and other Fraud Related offence Act, 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same law. And section 15(1)(b) &15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)Act, 2011.
The businessman and his firm had denied the allegations and pleased not guilty to the charges when they were first arraigned.
To commit the alleged infractions, PSFU stated in a charge marked FHC/L/126c/2018, that the businessman and his firm, sometimes in month of February, 2017, In Victoria Island Lagos , by false false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtain the sum of M56 million from Chukwunonso Ayodele Obiah, through a bank manager cheque, with the pretext that he will sell and pass the title of his property consisting of three Bedroom that with appurtenances, situate at flat 513, cluster B, Block4, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island Lagos to him, a representation he knew to be false.
The businessman and his firm were also alleged to hav sometimes in month of February, 2017, at Victoria Island Court, Lagos, fraudulently converted to their own use N56 million, being money paid to him by Chukwunonso Ayodele Obiah, for the sale of the said property, and that he also failed to deliver the title document with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the resources.
At th resumed trial today, the prosecutor, Barrister Apochi, called more witnesses and tendered some documentary evidence, which were admitted by the court.
Meanwhile, further hearing in the matter has been adjourned till April 13.
Count one of the charges read: “that you, Victor Ogiemwonyi ‘m’ and partnership investment Company Limited on or about the month of June, 2015, in Victoria Island, Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, conspired together to commit an offence to wit; Obtaining Money by False pretence and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) the advance fee fraud and other Fraud Related offence Act, 2006.
Another count reads: “that you Victor Ogiemwonyi ‘m’ and partnership Investment Company Limited on or about the month of February, 2017, in Victoria Island Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, did by false pretence and with intent to defraud, obtain the sum of Fifty Six Million Naira only (N56,000,000.00) from Chukwunonso Ayodele Obiah ‘m’ through UBA manager cheques with the pretext that you will sell and pass the title of your property consisting of three (3) Bedroom that with appurtenances, situate at flat 513, cluster B, Block4, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island Lagos to him, a representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1(1)(a)(e)of the Advance Fee Fraud And Other Fraud Related Offences and punishable under section 1(3) of the same law.
Count three of reads: “that you, Victor Ogiemwonyi ‘m’ and Partnership Investment Company Limited on or about in month of June, 2015 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, did fraudulently convert to your own use, the sum of Fifty Six Million Naira (N56,000,000.00) being money paid to you by one Chukwunonso Ayodele Obiah ‘m’ for the sale of a property consisting of three bedroom flat situate at flat 513, Cluster B, Block 4, 1004 Estate, Victoria Island Lagos, which you failed to deliver the title document with the aim of concealing the illicit origin of the resources and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 15(1)(b) and 15(2) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011”.
