Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos has ordered the remand of Fatuyi Yemi Philips, the Chairman of the Natural Oil and Gas Suppliers Association of Nigeria, (NOGASA), Lagos Zone, in prison over allegations of Fraud.
The judge gave the order after his arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, pending when the court would entertain his bail application.
He was charged alongside his company; Oceanview Oil and Gas Limited in Suit No ID/17098C/2021.
The defendant was remanded in prison custody of his choice following his arraignment on a two-count charge.
Arraigning the defendants, EFCC Counsel, Samuel Daaji informed the court that the Commission has a two count charge information against the defendant, urging the court to take the plea of the defendants.
Read Also: Alleged Fraud: EFCC Tenders GTB Documents Against Adeherself
According to Daaji, the alleged offences borders on obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section of the Advance Fee Fraud and Fraud Related Offences, 2006 and on allegation of stealing contrary to Section 285(1) of Criminal Code Law Cap 17 Vol. 2 Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The defendants however pleaded not guilty to obtaining money by false pretence and stealing of the sum of N43.5m from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited .
Upon his not guilty plea to the charges, the EFCC Prosecutor asked for a trial date while urging court to remand him pending hearing and determination of his bail application.
In a counter reaction, the Defence Counsel who held brief for Augustine Ogbodo, Mr. Charles Ugbonna informed the court that the defendants had filed application for bail on 7th April, 2022.
The judge held Mr.Daji’s submission that the application was not really ripe for hearing.
You May Also Like To Read: Alleged $1.6m Fraud: EFCC Closes Case Against Pastor Oluokun
Mr.Ogbonna thereafter pleaded with the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody pending hearing and determination.
The judge, however turned down the prayer noting that EFCC Custody is not the lawful custody to remand the defendant.
Subsequently, Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the hearing of the bail application till April 28, 2022.
Count one of the charge reads that, “Fatuyi Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited on or about the 28th day of September, 2016 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud obtained the aggregate sum of N43,502,000.00 (Forty-Three Million Five Hundred and Two Thousand Naira) from Elochukwu Okoye and Elebana Unique Ventures Nigeria Limited on behalf of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited under the false representation you would sell to WAPCIL Nigeria Limited $98,870,00 (Ninety-Eight Thousand United States of American Dollars), a representation you knew to be false.
While Count two states that,” Philips and Oceanview Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited on or about the 28th day of September, 2016 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court stole the sum N43,502,000.00 (Forty-Three Million Five Hundred and Two Thousand Naira) property of WAPCIL Nigeria Limited.
