Court

Two persons, Mariam Eyitayo and Bethrand Johnson, were arraigned in an FCT High Court on Thursday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged forgery and conspiracy.

The EFCC dragged them to court on an 11-count charge bordering on forgery, conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune of N12 million.

They were arraigned along with three companies: Hamchid Nigeria Limited, Royal Reality and Investment Limited, and Rapid Technoslim and Investment Limited.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Benjamin Manji, told the court that the EFCC received a petition, dated July 14, 2016, from Darison Samuel Jatau.

He alleged that about March 25, 2015, Jatau paid the defendants a sum of N12 million for the sale of two million barrels of crude oil in Accra, Ghana.

Also, 120 million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil at Bonny terminal, Rivers State, only for him to find out he had been duped.

Manji said that the offence is contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

However, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against them.

Manji prayed the court for a trial date and for the defendants to be remanded in prison custody.

The defence counsel, Aleichenu Ogwuche, informed the court of an application for bail.

The Judge, Justice Peter Affen, upheld the administrative bail granted the 2nd defendant (Johnson) by the EFCC.

Affen admitted the 1st defendant (Eyitayo) to bail in the sum of N12 million, two sureties in like sum who must be public servants not below level 13.

“The 1st defendant did not readily make herself available even when granted administrative bail, the court will impose such conditions that will ensure that the 1st defendant attends court,’’ he held.

He added that one of the sureties must deposit evidence of land ownership in Abuja and the defendants should deposit their international passports with the Registrar of the court.

Affen also ordered the first defendant to be remanded at Suleja prison, pending the perfection of her bail.

He adjourned until Dec. 18 for commencement of trial.