N192m land fraud: Managing director arraigned, remanded in prison

Juliana Francis

The managing director of Southern Atlantic Global Enterprises, Marshall Obioma was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office.

Obioma and his company, Southern Atlantic Global Enterprises, was arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining, stealing and forgery to the tune of N192, 000,000.00.

The defendant allegedly obtained the money from Nnamdi Ezeigbo as the cost of two plots of land in Oshorun Heritage Estate, Isheri, Lagos State.

However, the defendant was said to have failed to make available the plots of land or refund the complainant.

One of the counts reads: " That you, Marshall Obioma and Southern Atlantic Global Enterprises Limited, sometime in 2016, at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, fraudulently converted the sum of N170,000,000.00, being the cost of 17 plots of land situate at Oshorun Heritage Estate, Isheri North of Isheri Town, Lagos State, property of Mr. Nnamdi Ezeigbo."

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Franklin Ofoma, asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

However, the defence counsel, Clem Abuadinna, informed the court of a bail application for his client, and also prayed that the application be heard.

The prosecution counsel confirmed receipt of the defendant's application for bail and pleaded with the court for a short date to respond. 

Justice Dada adjourned the matter to March 4, 2019 for commencement of trial and hearing of the bail application. The Judge also remanded the defendant in prison custody.