Friday, March 8, 2013

EFCC arraigns Indian businessman for alleged N13.8m fraud

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, arraigned an Indian businessman, Patrick Fernadez, before a Lagos high court sitting in Ikeja, for  fraudulently obtaining  Nokia phones valued at N13.8 million and issuing dud cheque to the Okay Computers.
Fernadez, who is facing a five-count charge bordering on obtaining on  false pretence, was arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.
The anti-graft agency said Fernadez had committed the offence between March 29 and April 1, 2012.
Fernadez was said to have falsely issued a dud cheque after collecting the phones, saying the money would be ready and paid within one week.
EFCC also alleged that Fernadez, on or about April 7, 2012, had issued a dud cheque  FCMB No. 10564279,  in the sum of N8.150 million, which when presented for payment, was returned unpaid on the grounds of insufficient funds in the account.
According to the EFCC, the offence was contrary to section 1(3) of the advanced fee fraud and other fraud-related offences Act 14, 2006 and issuance of dud cheque contrary to section 1(1) of dishonoured cheques Act laws of Federation, of Nigeria 2004.
When the charges were  read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges proffered against him by the EFCC.
Justice Onigbanjo granted him bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in like sum.
He added that the defendant should deposit  his international travelling documents to the commission and ordered  he be remanded in Ikoyi prison custody pending when he can perfect his bail application.
He adjourned the case till September 17 and 19, for trial.
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