Wale Igbintade
Justice Chukwuejekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, in Lagos Friday, ordered the remand of a Ponzi Scheme Operator, Bamishe Ajetunmobi, who has been on the run since 2021, over alleged N7.5 billion fraud.
The court remanded the Ponzi Scheme Operator, after he pleaded not guilty to 12 counts charge made against him by the men of Force Criminal Investigation Department ForceCID (Annex) Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.
Arraigning the defendant, Police prosecutor, Morufu Animashaun, told the court that the defendant conspired with his wife, Elizabeth Ajetunmobi, who is now at large, using their company, Imaging Global Solutions Limited, to defraud their unsuspecting customers.
The prosecutor stated that the defendant and his wife allegedly lured the fraud victims with 10 percent returns on investment (ROI), to commit the offences.
Among those allegedly defrauded by the defendant and the sums received from them include Mr. Olawale Lawal, N1.5 billion; Mrs. Kate Omu, N500 million, Mr. Erhi Catherine Ojoboh, N2 billion, and Mr. Abioye Idris, N3.5 billion.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by the defendant contravened sections 8 (a), 1(a)(c) and 1 (2) of the Advance Fee fraud and other Fraud related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section I (3) of the same Act.
He also told the court that the offences are contrary to section 383 of the Criminal Code Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and punishable under Section 390 (a) of the same.
Prior to his arraignment, the prosecutor told the court that the charge against the defendant was filed in 2022, but the defendant eloped.
He told the court that the defendant was arrested by International Police (Interpol) at Ivory Coast, this year.
He urged the court to strike out the name of the defendant’s wife from the charge, so that the defendant arraignment can go on.
Consequently, Justice Aneke struck out the name of the defendant’s wife from the charge, and ordered that the charge be ready to the defendant.
The defendant however, pleaded not guilty to the 12 counts charge, when they were read to him.
The defendant was not represented by any lawyer.
Following defendant’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor prayed the court for a trial date. He also urged the court to remand the Defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the determination of the charges against him.
Consequently, Justice Aneke ordered that the defendant be remanded at the Ikoyi facility of the Nigerian Correctional Services, and adjourned the matter till November 29, for trial.
