An Ikeja Special Offences Court has granted bail in the sum of N10 million to a man, Solomon Idonije, charged with a N20 million foreign exchange fraud.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo in her ruling, held that the court was inclined to grant bail to the defendant.
Taiwo, thereafter, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties in like sum.
She ruled that one of the sureties must be a Grade Level 15 civil servant in Lagos, while the other must be a close relative of the defendant.
The judge said both sureties must reside in Lagos and must produce evidence of three months tax payment to Lagos State.
Taiwo ordered that the defendant would remain at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre pending the perfection of the bail conditions and adjourned the case until Sept. 27 for the commencement of trial.
Earlier, the defence counsel, Mr Jonathan Okiogbero, moved the bail application for his client, arguing that the alleged offence was bailable.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) counsel, Mrs Orhieoghene Adewunmi, who held the brief for Gabriel Akaogu, opposed the bail application, arguing that the defendant constituted a flight-risk.
The EFCC had on July 4 arraigned the defendant on a seven-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 1(1) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The EFCC alleged that Idonije on Dec. 21, 2020, in Lagos obtained the sum of N4.8 million from Iyen Omowuiugbe for Forex Trade through Solomon Ace Forex Investments.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that Idonije on Dec. 23, 2020, in Lagos, obtained N4.1million from Omowuiugbe.
The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
In a related development the Judge reserved, until Aug. 8, judgment in the case of a woman, Rita Asajie, charged with N15 million fraud.
Asajie is charged alongside her company, Ritzadel Nig. Ltd. on three counts, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The charges border on stealing, contrary to Section 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011, and issuance of dishonoured cheques, contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act of 2004.
The EFCC stated: “Rita Asajie and Ritzadel Nigeria Limited, on or about the 6th day of March 2012 at Lagos, within the Lagos Judicial Division, did dishonestly convert the sum of N15,000,000 (fifteen million Naira) property of Lawrex Energy Limited, for your own use.”
The second count is that Asajie and her company, on or about Sept. 13, 2012, in Lagos, issued a Fidelity bank cheque for five million Naira to be drawn from an account belonging to the company in refund of N15 million payment made by Lawrex Energy Ltd. to Asajie for supply of diesel to Lawrex which she allegedly did not supply.
The EFCC added that the cheque was dishonoured upon presentation due to insufficient funds in the account of Ritzadel Nig. Ltd.
On Wednesday, EFCC counsel, Mrs Orhieoghene Adewunmi, informed the court that prosecution closed its case since Jan.16, 2019.
Adewunmi noted that the defendants, however filed a no-case submission, and ruling was delivered on April 9, 2019, with the court dismissing the submission and directing the defendants to open defence.
“However, my lord, since May 23, 2019, the defendant has seized to appear in court, and a bench warrant was issued on July 8, 2019.
“The defendant, who was also not in court at today’s proceeding, has since stopped being represented and has stopped being in court, my lord.
“I rely on Administration of Criminal Justice (Amended) Law of Lagos State, 202, and pray the court to convict the defendant in absentia because the law allows it after two adjournments,” she said.
Asajie pleaded not guilty when she was arraigned on May 18, 2015, after which trial began.
