OLUSEGUN AND TAFIDA |
Hope
Olusegun Aroke, a Malaysia-based undergraduate fraudster and three
others, Ibrahim Garuba Tafida, Tafida Gano Investment Limited and Hopes
and Oyin Limited were today arraigned before Justice Mohammed Idris of
the Federal High Court, Lagos on two
separate charges bordering on false assets declaration, conspiracy and
conversion of fund to the tune of over N55million.
The
first accused Aroke was arraigned on both charges. He was first docked
on a three count charge that borders on false declaration of assets,
while all four accused persons were later arraigned on a four count
charge of conspiracy and conversion of funds.
One of the charge reads: “That you, Hope Olusegun Aroke (m), Ibrahim Garuba Tafida (M),Tafida Gano Investment Limited and Hopes and Oyin Limited between September and October, 2012 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court conspired to convert the sum of N31,000,000 (Thirty One Million
Naira) to the credit of Tafida Gano Investment Limited and Hopes and Oyin Limited account domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc which sum you knew represent the proceeds of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said crime and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 14(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)Act, 2004”.
One of the charge reads: “That you, Hope Olusegun Aroke (m), Ibrahim Garuba Tafida (M),Tafida Gano Investment Limited and Hopes and Oyin Limited between September and October, 2012 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court conspired to convert the sum of N31,000,000 (Thirty One Million
Naira) to the credit of Tafida Gano Investment Limited and Hopes and Oyin Limited account domiciled in Zenith Bank Plc which sum you knew represent the proceeds of crime with the aim of concealing the nature of the proceeds of the said crime and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 14(1)(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition)Act, 2004”.
The
accused persons pleaded not guilty to all the charges. Consequently,
prosecution counsel, Hauwa Abubakar urged the court to give a short date
for trial and that the first and second accused persons are remanded in
prison custody.
Defence Counsel, T.O Taiwo, told the court that he had filed applications for bail and had served the prosecution since January 18, 2013. He also told the court that the second accused person, Ibrahim Tafida, had been offered administrative bail by the EFCC and did not default. He, therefore, prayed the court to allow him continue with the bail earlier granted him or remand him in EFCC custody should the court decides otherwise.
Defence Counsel, T.O Taiwo, told the court that he had filed applications for bail and had served the prosecution since January 18, 2013. He also told the court that the second accused person, Ibrahim Tafida, had been offered administrative bail by the EFCC and did not default. He, therefore, prayed the court to allow him continue with the bail earlier granted him or remand him in EFCC custody should the court decides otherwise.
Justice
Idris consequently offered Tafida bail in the sum of N10million and one
surety in like sum. The surety must have a landed property within the
jurisdiction of the court. He also ruled that Tafida should be remanded
in prison custody until he meets the bail conditions. Justice Idris also
ruled that the first accused person, Hope Olusegun Aroke be remanded in
prison custody and adjourned the case till January 25, 2013 for hearing
of Aroke’s bail application.
Aroke,
together with one other Malaysia-based undergraduate, was arrested in
the closing week of 2012 by operatives of the EFCC at the elite 1004
housing estate, Victoria Island, Lagos. His
accomplice, Ibrahim Tafida is a Bureau De Change operator through whom
Aroke was able to launder proceeds of scam to the tune of N55, 050,
000.00k (Fifty Five million, fifty thousand naira only).
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