An Ikeja Special Offences Court heard from a prosecutor witness how Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle purported themselves as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to the members of the public.
Ademola Adekehin, Assistant Chief Register at the Ikeja High Court, Lagos stated while being led in examination in chief by Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, “I came across the names of the defendants in a letter addressed to the Chief Register dated 14th May 2021 from the EFCC”.
He mentioned that the letter in question was sent to them for confirmation if the letter emanated from the court. He said, “we checked our records and didn’t find the document and it didn’t come from court”.
Asked by the prosecutor to shed more light on the above statement, Mr Ademola went further to say, “On the face of the document the heading was wrong “.
“The suit number was that of Federal High Court not Magistrate or High Court.
“The name of the Commissioner of Oath was unknown”.
“5th of May 2021 fell on the date we were on strike”.
“The cashier stamp is not the current stamp. No seal on the document and also no court is in Mushin which was the court on the face letter “.
The defendants having been arraigned on five count amended information dated 4th October 2021 bothering on attempt to obtain property by false pretence, possession of document containing false pretence and impersonating public officers contrary to s5 (1), 6, 8 (b) and punishable under s1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 and s78 and 79 (1)(b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.
According to the charge sheet, “Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle on about the 12th day of May 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the honorable court falsely represented yourselves as officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and assumed to do the official act of the commission in a property known as G2, Flat 14, New Horizon Estate, Lekki, Lagos”.
“Ugwu Pascal Chijioke and Ibrahim Sadiq Adekunle on about the 12th day of May 2021 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the honorable court by false pretence and intent to defraud attempted to obtain property from one Oriyomi Johnson under the pretence that the Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos, State Judiciary Mushin Lagos, issued an order to the effect that the property located at new Horizon Estate, Ikate, Lekki, Lagos be seized and the said apartment sealed pending the arrival of the said Oriyomi Johnson which representation you know to be false”.
Defence counsel to both defendants, Tosin Soiga brought to the attention of the court a bail application dated 30th September 2021 which was not opposed by prosecuting.
The court only granting the 1st defendant bail while second defendant bail would be heard on the next adjourned date due to lack of proper documentation from his counsel.
In granting the first defendant bail, Justice Abike Fadipe stated that N1 million in bail sum and two sureties, one which must be a blood relative, also a resident in Lagos State and must present an ID of residency in Lagos State. Furthermore, must be gainfully employed and a 3 years tax certificate. Must be a titled land holder in Lagos State.
Justice Fadipe also remanded the defendant to the correctional facility and adjourned the matter to 15th October 2021 for cross examination of PW1.
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