A 29-year-old graduate of the Delta State University, Victor Okunmwendia, on Thursday appeared in a Federal High Court, Benin, over an alleged 900 dollar fraud.
A statement issued by Mr Wilson Uwujaren, Head of Media and Publicity of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), said that the accused, who was arraigned by the commission before Justice Patricia Ajoku , was charged on a three-count of fraud and obtaining money by false pretence.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Counsel to the commission, M.T. Iko, told the court that the accused presented himself as Sister Julia Imoke, founder and Coordinator of Happy Home Orphanage, Benin, to extort money from unsuspecting persons.
The persecutor said Okunmwendia conspired with others, now at large, to obtain the sum of 900 U.S. dollars from one Ada K., a female.
Iko alleged that the accused got the money through Western Union Money Transfer under the guise that he was Imoke, the founder and coordinator of the “fictitious orphanage”.
He said the alleged offence was contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same law.
After the accused took his plea, Iko asked the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendant in prison custody.
Attempt by the defence counsel, Osman Idehen, to move a bail application was refused by the court.
The presiding judge adjourned the case till November 16 for trial and ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
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