The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday arraigned one Okwara Victory before the Federal High Court Awka in Anambra State for his alleged involvement in internet fraud.
He was arraigned before Justice I.B Gafai for charges bothering on obtaining by false pretense to the tune of $8,674USD.
One of the charges against the accused person reads: That you Okwara Victory sometime in the month of April 2016 at Onitsha within Awka Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, with intent to defraud did obtained the sum of N1,332,420 (one million three hundred and thirty two thousand four and twenty naira) being the naira equivalent of $4,190 (Four Thousand One Hundred and Ninety US Dollars) from one Ekweaba Oyemechi when you falsely represented yourself to him that your girlfriend who lives in America will send you $4,190 (Four Thousand One Hundred Ninety US Dollars ) meant for your return ticket to America, a pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section1(1)(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
The accused pleaded not guilty on all three count charge preferred against him.
In view of his plea, the Defense Counsel, Barr. Emma Onyibor applied for the bail of his client.
Onyibor stated that his client had been on administrative bail granted him by the EFCC and had not defaulted but reported regularly to the EFCC whenever he was needed.
But the Prosecuting Counsel, Barr. Habila Jonathan informed the court that he was served the motion for bail, shortly before court proceeding and needed time to study and respond.
Justice I.B Gafai upheld the argument of the EFCC counsel as the Judge was yet to study the bail application which the defense also served the court shortly before proceedings.
In his ruling, the Judge ordered that the accused be remanded in prison custody.
He adjourned the matter to December 6 for consideration of bail and trial.
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