Court Grant Internet Fraudsters N5M Bail
Omooba Risawe
A Federal High Court sitting Akure,Ondo State Capital has granted bail to five suspected internet fraudsters arraigned before it on Monday.
The defendant were suspended students of Federal University of Technology Akure and Adekunle Ajasin, Akungba (AAUA) respectively and includes Fasakin Adeleke Paul (21), Ogundile Ademola James Olasunkanmi (23), Abudu Adeniyi Tayo (a.k.a) Kolawole Tajudeen) (20). Others are Ifeobu Ugochukwu (21) and Olusola Franklin Akusanmi (21)
The Economic and Financial Crimes,EFCC,on Friday arraigned the ssuspects on a 53-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, possession of fraudulent documents and forgery.
One of the charges proffered against them reads that you “Fasakin Adeleke Paul, Ogundile Ademola James Olasunkanmi, Abudu Adeniyi Tayo (a.k.a. Kolawole Tajudeen), Ifeobu Ugochukwu and Olusola Franklin Akusanmi on or about the 26th of May 2016 at Akure within the Akure Judicial Division of this honourable Court did conspired to obtain money by falsely pretending that you are one Adeleke Peter through Western Union and Money Gram at First Bank PLC, (FUTA) Akure Branch and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act”.
Another count reads that you “Fasakin Adeleke Paul, Ogundile Ademola James Olasunkanmi on or about the 6th of July 2016 at Akure within the Akure Judicial Division with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of 1700 UDS (One Thousand and Seven Hundred United State of America Dollars) from Patricia Morales by falsely pretending that you are one Adeleke Peter through Western Union and Money Gram at First Bank PLC, (FUTA) Akure Branch and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (2) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act”
Paul who go about with the name Tsunami Gang and Young Pablo Money alongside his co-travelers were arrested sometimes in July 2015 following series of intelligence gather by the operatives over their fraudulent activities.
The docked internet fraudsters allegedly swindled unsuspecting foreigners and others to the tune of N16million by engaging in internet scams and obtaining money under false pretences.
When the charges were read to them in the court, they pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Owodunni in view of their plea,asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the accused be remanded in prison custody.
Counsel to the first accused, A. C. Ajakaye informed the court that he had a pending application dated 11th of January, 2017 which has not been served on the prosecution and prayed the court to allow him move the motion for bail.
Similarly, Rotimi Olorunfemi, counsel to the second accused, Kayode Akinwunmi, counsel to the third accused, Toyese Owoade counsel to the fourth defendant and Counsel to the fifth defendant, Adetunji Oso all aligned themselves with the submission of Ajakaye and prayed the court to allow them move for the bail application of the second, third, fourth and the fifth accused persons.
Justice Abu Dogo in his ruling admitted the first to fifth defendants to bail in the sum of N5million each with one surety in like sum.
Each surety must be a civil servant in the level of an Assistant Director either at a state or federal ministry. Each of the sureties shall deposit the original copy of their first appointment and last promotion letter, two recent passports, National Identity Card or International Passport. Each of the surety must be a Nigerian. The court registrar shall verify the address of the sureties.
Meanwhile,the defendants shall be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions. The case was adjourned till February 16, 2017 for trial
