The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned two women, Chinyere Monye and Justina Ajayi, before a Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja for allegedly stealing 20 million naira.
Ajayi and Monye were charged alongside AER Global Investment Ltd on five counts, including conspiracy to steal, theft, and obtaining money under false pretenses. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
EFCC Counsel Mr. Suleiman Suleiman requested a trial date and informed the court that he intended to call six witnesses. He stated that the defendants, along with others, allegedly conspired and committed the offenses on April 11, 2017.
The prosecutor alleged that the defendants dishonestly converted the sum of 20 million naira, property belonging to Mr. Johnson Okeke, for the use of Jodaf Concepts.
The prosecution also asserted that the defendants, with the intent to defraud, induced the complainant to transfer the sum of 20 million naira into the account of Chris Monye, under the pretext that her brother, who was based in Malaysia, would deliver the dollar equivalent of $50,000 to the complainant’s supplier in China.
According to the prosecution, the alleged offenses violate Sections 278, 278(1), and 411 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos, 2015, as well as Section 1(1)(a) and 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
Counsel for the first defendant, Ms. Mariam Hassan, requested that her client be allowed to continue receiving administrative bail granted by the commission. Ms. Faith Nnaji, representing the second defendant and her company, made a similar request for the continuation of their pre-existing administrative bail.
Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe approved the application, allowing the defendants to continue enjoying administrative bail. The case was then adjourned until June 30 for the commencement of the trial.
