EFCC Arraigns Three Fake Custom Officers For Fraud

The Benin Zonal Office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission , EFCC,  on Wednesday  March 24, 2021 arraigned the trio of Afekhai Aliu, Felix Victor and James Blessing Anne before Justice Efe Ikponwonba on a six count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence.

According to a statement by the anti graft agency ,the suspects  were alleged to have defrauded one Ikhaigbode Jimoh Oya by claiming to be Custom Officers in charge of auctioning confiscated vehicle at Idiroko, Ogun State.

One of the counts reads. “James Blessings Anne, Felix Victor and Afekhai Aliu Obaadugbo on or about the 10th of December,  2018 at Benin with the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N216,000 (Two Hundred and Sixteen Thousand Naira) as part payment for two vehicles from Ikhaigbode Jimoh Oya who you represented yourselves to as Custom Officers in charge of the auction of confiscated vehicles at Idiroko capable of selling a Lexus 350 and Mercedes ML 350 SUV to him, which representation you knew to be false and thereby  committed an offence”

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them.

In view of their pleas, the prosecution counsel, Moses Arumemi prayed the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendants in custody. However, the defence counsel,  S. O. Osazuwa prayed the court to grant his clients bail as the alleged offence was bailabĺe.

Justice Ikponwonba granted bail to the defendants in the sum of N500,000 each and a surety in like sum.  The surety should be resident within the jurisdiction of the court.

The case was adjourned till May 20, 2021 for hearing.