Constance Obinagwam
Economic and Financial Crime Commission, (EFCC) on Monday, arraigned Ngozi Philomena Okoye before Justice Mojisola Dada, of Special Offences Court, Ikeja, Lagos State over an alleged N349 million fraud.
The defendant was charged along side her company, Menoil Oil and Gas Limited on a two count charge of stealing and obtaining goods by false pretence, which is contrary to section 278 (1), (b), 278(2) (f) and 285 (1) of the criminal law of Lagos State of Nigeria, No.11, 2011 and section 1 (1) (2) and (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No.14 of 2006.
Relating the matter before the court, EFCC prosecutor, T.J Banjo, told the court that the defendant obtained 2 million liters of AGO (Automative Gas Oil), valued at N275 million Frank Karkitie director of Enegas Power Limited.
READ ALSO: http://Guinea-Bissau Interim President resigns after 2 days in office, says ‘My life’s in danger’
He alleged that sometimes in 2013, the defendant stole the sum of N74 million property of Frank Karkitie director of Enegas Power Limited.
The charges reads, “That you, Ngozi Philomena Okoye, Menoil Oil and Gas Limited sometimes in 2013 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court obtained 2 million liters of AGO (Automotive Gas Oil) valued at N275,000,000 from Frank Karkitie, director of Enegas Power Limited by falsely representing to Frank Karkitie that the products will be paid for upon sale which pretence you knew to be false.”
The defendant, pleaded not guilty to the charge against her by the EFCC.
Following her not guilty plea, the prosecutor urged the court for a trial date and asked that the defendant be remanded in the correctional facility
Also, defence counsel, Olaide Adedapo, brought to the attention of the court a summon for a bail dated 27th of February 2020.
But the prosecuting counsel pleaded to the judge to give them time enable them respond to the bail application which they intend to oppose.
Upon hearing the application, Justice Mojisola Dada remanded the defendant to the correctional facility pending hearing of bail application and adjourned the matter to 5th, March, and 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th of June 2020 for hearing.