Justice S.S Ogunsanya of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, has ordered that one Aderemi Aderounmu, a supposed freight forwarder, be remanded at the Kirikiri maximum prison for obtaining money from a client by false pretence.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, had arraigned Aderounmu on a 3-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, contrary to Section 8 (a) and 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
He was alleged to have collected $22,800 from one Simeon Iwunor, as part payment of air freight for the shipment of his cargo to Liberia without delivering the goods.
Count one of the charge reads, “that Aderemi Aderounmu and Michael Nnodu (at large) on or about 21st day of July, 2012, at Egbeda, within the Ikeja Judiciary Division of this Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $10,000.00 (Ten Thousand United States Dollars) only, from Simeon Iwunor, being part payment of air freight for shipment of his cargo/ goods to Liberia.”
Count two reads, “that Aderemi Aderounmu and Michael Nnodu (at large) on or about 26th day of July, 2012, at Egbeda, within the Ikeja Judiciary Division of this Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $12,800.00 (Twelve Thousand, Eight Hundred United States Dollars) only, from Simeon Iwunor, being part payment of air freight for shipment of his cargo/ goods to Liberia.”
When the charges were read to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty.
The prosecuting counsel, I.O Daramola asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the accused person in prison custody.
But the defence counsel, J.O Ololo prayed the court to allow the accused to continue to enjoy the administrative bail initially granted him by the EFCC. This plea was however opposed by Daramola who pressed for the remand of the accused person in prison custody.
Justice Ogunsanya, while adjourning the case to October 21, ordered the accused person to be remanded in Kirikiri maximum prison, Lagos.