The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission today, June 19, 2012 arraigned one Dr. Michael Bandele Adekunle before Justice A. O. Opesanwo of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja on a five counts charge which borders on conspiracy to obtain money under false pretences to the tune of $243,500, contrary to section 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

One of the charges read: “Dr Michael Bandele Adekunle, Samuel Nelson Nwankwo (Now convicted) and Alhaji Atta (still at large) on or about the 19th of November 2010 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud, conspired to obtained the sum of $20,000 (Twenty thousand US Dollars) under false pretence from one Mr. Collins Ukpe Turhobo of L. S. D. P. Estate Mainland Ebute Metta Lagos under the false pretence that the money represents fees and logistics for processing of $5 million (five million Dollars) loan you claimed you secured for him which representation you knew to be false”.

When the charges were read to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty to all five charges.

Thereafter, the prosecution counsel, S. T. Giwa prayed the court to remand the accused in prison custody and fix a date for trial.

Juliet Njoku, counsel to the accused person however asked the court to remand her client in Kirikiri Maximum prison.

Justice Opesanwo ordered that the accused be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum prison and adjourned proceedings to July 5, 2012 for hearing of the bail application.

Adekunle and two other persons (one still at large) were alleged to have defrauded one Collins Ukpe Turhobo, a businessman based in Cote d’Ivoire of the sum of $243,500 under the guise that they were going to help Turhobo secure a loan of $5 million with 5 percent interest. The said $243,500 represents fees and logistics for processing the said loan.

Media & Publicity Unit
19th May, 2012.