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Court remands Ibadan club owner over N31m fraud

AN Ibadan High Court has remanded the owner of Ibadan Club, Adepoju Sunday, for alleged involvement in false pretence and cybercrime.

Adepoju was accused of defrauding Americans of the COVID-19 benefits amounting to about N31 million.

The defendant was arraigned on two separate charges for cybercrime and other related offences by the Ibadan Zonal Command of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A statement released on Wednesday, March 29 by the spokesperson of the commission, Wilson Uwujaren, disclosed that the accused was sued for allegedly swindling Americans during the outbreak of COVID 19 pandemic.

The EFCC stressed that the defendant was arrested in August 2022, alongside 21 other suspected internet fraudsters during an intelligence-driven operation carried out by the operatives of its Ibadan Zonal Command.

According to the statement, “The first charge containing eight counts bordering on identity theft, obtaining COVID – 19 and unemployment benefits from the United States of America Government, while the other 19- count charge is premised on transfer of proceeds of crime to one Owoade Emmanuel David.”

The statement added that Adepoju and his syndicate stole and falsefully claimed the identities of American citizens eligible for the tax refund programme.




     

     

    Counts one and two of the charge read: “That you, Adepoju Olawale Sunday (SSG), Tope Ogunruku (DLA Frd Husband) at large, Owoade Emmanuel David (UK CEO Ace Lounge) at large, Desmond (Stanf line 2 2022) at large and Blessing (Ghost) at large, sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to commit an illegal act to wit; Identity Theft contrary to Sections 27(1)(b) and 22(2) (b) (ii) of the Cyber Crimes (Prohibition, Prevention Etc.) Act, 2015 and punishable under Section 22(2) (b) of the same Act.

    “That you, Adepoju Olawale Sunday (SSG), Tope Ogunruku (DLA Frd Husband) at large, Owoade Emmanuel David (UK CEO Ace Lounge) at large, Desmond (Stanf line 2 2022) at large and Blessing (Ghost) at large, sometime in 2022 within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court conspired to commit an illegal act to wit; Obtaining COVID – 19 benefits from the United States of America Government by falsely representing that you are one Joel Richard Carlson and thereby committed an offence contrary to Sections 8 and 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”

    Although Adepoju pleaded not guilty, the court ordered that he should be remanded in Agodi prison facility pending the determination of the case.

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    The court adjourned the case to April 18.

    Stories with punches holding the powerful accountable. His determination to speak out against corruption and influence the conversation in Nigeria, the surrounding region and the continent inspires him.

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