The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday April 18, 2013, arraigned Duruaku Ogwe, Joseph Akao and Bode Thomas Emiola before Justice Alaba Ajileye of the Kogi State High Court, Lokoja on a 4-count charge bordering on conspiracy, forgery and stealing.

The fraudsters allegedly obtained the sum of N6,500,000 (Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Michael Ego, managing director of Emvision Global Limited as a payment for some scrap armored cables auctioned by Dangote Cement Company, Obajana, Kogi State.

One of the charge reads: "that you, Duruaku Ogwe, Joseph Akao (alias Alhaji Yueiam Jazeez) and Bode Thomas Emiola on or about the 7th of August, 2012 at Lokoja within the Lokoja Judicial Division with intent to defraud conspired amongst yourselves to obtain the sum of N6,500,000 (Six Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from Michael Ego, the Managing director of Emvision Global Limited under the false pretence that the said money represent payment for 95mm, 128mm, 150mm and 170mm scrap armored cables auctioned by Dangote Cement Company, Obajana, Kogi State, which pretence you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(1) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2006".

However, they pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Prosecution counsel, Attah Ocholi prayed the court to fix a date for trial and remand the defendants in prison custody. However, defence counsel, Lawrence John, quickly informed the court that an application for bail had earlier been filed for the three defendants. Ocholi objected to the applications on the ground that he was only served a copy before the arraignment proceedings. However, the defence counsel withdrew the application and presented an oral application for bail for the defendants. Ocholi did not object to this, but prayed the court to make bail conditions stringent, to ensure that the defendants make themselves available for trial.

Justice Ajileye granted each of the defendants bail in the sum of N500, 000.00 and one surety each in like sum. The sureties must reside within Kogi State and must produce evidence of ownership of landed properties within the state.

Media & Publicity Unit

22nd April, 2013