The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, October 23, 2012, arraigned Bello Godwin Onimisi, before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the FCT High court, sitting in Gudu Abuja, on a four count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and internet fraud. Onimisi is also a member of a syndicate that is impersonating the Comptroller General of Customs, Dikko Inde Abdullahi.

Onimisi's arrest followed a petition by Bako Abdulmumuni who alleged that a syndicate of fraudsters was using the telephone number of the Customs Comptroller General, Abdullahi and demanding the payment of money into several bank accounts.

The bank accounts included those of Oruche Chidubem, 2006021582 Zenith Bank and Ebubeogu Kenneth Ndubuisi, 303541221, First Bank.

The syndicate allegedly contacted the complainant via e-mail and impersonated the Comptroller General of Customs, claiming he, Abdullahi was on a quick trip to Saudi Arabia. In the e-mail, the fraudsters demanded that he, Abdulmumuni, should make an urgent payment of N240, 000 to someone in Nigeria. A transfer was made using First Bank and the suspect was arrested at Awka in Anambra State and moved to Enugu office of EFCC.

The accused person pleaded not guilty when charges were read to him. The defence counsel, P.A Omoluabi pleaded with the court that the accused be granted bail as the alleged offence is bailable. But the prosecution counsel, Joshua Saidi who said that though granting of bail is at the discretion of the court, urged the court to give conditions that would enable the accused to stand trial for the alleged offence.

After listening to the two counsels, Justice Banjoko granted the accused bail in the sum of One Hundred Thousand Naira only (N100, 000) with two sureties in like sum. She said the sureties who must show evidence of residence in Abuja must produce evidence of three years tax clearance and must produce bank guarantor. While adjourning the case till November 28, 29012 for definite hearing, the court further said that the accused person and his sureties must produce three passports photographs each.

Wilson Uwujaren

Ag. Head, Media and Publicity

October 23, 2012