A Niger Republic citizen, Isiaka Ibrahim, was today remanded at the Ikoyi-Lagos center of the Nigerian Correctional Services NCoS, over alleged N351.5 million fraud, by a Federal High Court, Lagos.
The Nigerien who based in Igolo, Benin Republic, was remanded at the Correctional facility, by Justice Ibrahim Ahmad Kala, after his arrraignment on a three count-charge charge of conspiracy, and obtaining the mentioned sum by the operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department ForceCID Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi Lagos, in a charge marked FHC/L/1112c/2025.
At the arrraignment of the defendant today, the prosecutor, Barrister Morufu Ajani Animashaun, a legal officer in the Legal/Prosecution department of the ForceCID Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi, informed the court that the defendant and others now at large, committed the alleged illegal acts between February and August 2024, in Lagos.
He told the court that the defendant and others now at large, committed the offences at 30, Adegbola Street, Alakuko, Alagbado and 22B Fola Jinadu Street, Gbagada Estate, Phase 1, both in Lagos State.
The prosecutor told the court that the defendant fraudulently obtained the said sum from two individuals, under the false pretence by inducing them that he is in position of providing them with the Republic of Benin CFA equivalent and on investing it in forex trading.
Barrister Animashaun informed the court that the defendant’s acts, are contrary to Section 8(a) and1(1)(a), and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The defendant denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Upon his not guilty plea, the prosecutor prayed the court to remand the defendant in the NCos’ facility pending trial. While also asked for trial date.
However, lawyer to the defendant, Barrister Ajanaku, informed the court that he had filed his client’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecutor.
When asked by the ground for the application, Ajanaku said there was no any ground stated in the application, than the charges against his client were bailable ones. Adding that his client presumed to be innocent of the charge, untill contrary is proven.
In respond to the bail application, the prosecutor informed the court that the defendant is a ‘flight risk’, as he is a foreigner without any residential address either in Lagos or anywhere in Nigeria.
However, Justice Kala after listening to the counsel submissions, adjourned the matter to February 9, for trial and hearing of pending applications.
The Judge thereafter ordered that the Nigerien be remanded at the Ikoyi-Lagos center of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).
Charges against the Nigerien read: “That you, ISIAKA IBRAHIM (M), and others now at large, between February 2024 and August 2024, at No. 30 Adegbola Street, Alakuko, Alagbado, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, did conspire ‘ amongst yourselves to defraud one Kofoworola Osho (F), and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you, ISIAKA IBRAHIM (M), and others now at large, between February 2024 and August 2024, at No. 30 Adegbola Street, Alakuko, Alagbado, Lagos, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, with intent to defraud, induced one Kofoworola Osho (F) to deliver to you the sum of N101, 500, 000.00 (One Hundred and One Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only, on the false pretence that you would provide her with the Republic of Benin CFA equivalent of the said sum, which you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
“That you, ISIAKA IBRAHIM (M), on or about the 21st day of August 2024, at No. 22B Fola Jinadu Street, Gbagada Estate, Phase 1, Lagas, within the Jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, with intent to defraud, induced one Alhaji Adelabu Mutiu (M) to deliver to you the sum of N250, 000, 000.00 (Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) only, on the false pretence that you were trading in forex on his behalf, which you knew to be false, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”
