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| OKHIRIA |
A member of a syndicate of
fraudsters operating in Ogun
State, Bassey Okhiria was
today docked before Justice O. A Ipaye of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja by the
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 4- count charge
bordering on possession of fraudulent document containing false pretence,
contrary to Section 6, 8(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related
Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
Okhiria, 26, who hails from Edo State,
is accused of running a fake lottery scheme
through which he tries to dupe unsuspecting members of the public. He is
alleged to be a member of a deadly syndicate of fraudsters that was arrested in
Abeokuta,
Ijebu- Ode and Sagamu in Ogun state, recently.
When the charges were read to the
defendant, he pleaded not guilty.
One of the counts read, “that
you Bassey Okhiria (a.k.a Robert J. Holley) on or about 3rd day
of March, 2014 within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud had in
your possession document wherein you falsely represented to one Dr. Katty Loius
Sander that you are a US Federal Government agent and that he has won $100,000
USD lottery from the government”.
Another count reads, “that
you Bassey Okhiria (a.k.a Robert J. Holley) on or before 3rd day
of March, 2014 within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud had in
your possession document wherein you falsely represented to one Mary Ann Rustan
that you are a US Federal Government agent and that he has won $100,000 USD
lottery from the government”.
In view of the plea of the
defendant, prosecution counsel, Babatunde Shonoiki asked for a trial date and
prayed the court to remand him in prison custody. But defence counsel, M.Balogun
informed the Court that he had filed an application for bail. He also prayed
the court to allow the defendant to continue to enjoy the terms of an
administrative bail earlier him by the EFCC.
Justice Ipaye adjourned the
matter to March 23 and 24, 2015 for hearing of the pending bail application and
ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.
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