HIGH COURT IN LAGOS CONVICTS MAN AND WIFE OF $120M FRAUD
Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court, Lagos State, on Thursday, May 26, 2022 convicted a man identified as “Augustine Ezeama, and his wife, Juliet”, of $120m fraud.
The couple were arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on November 16, 2016, over the alleged fraud.
According to the EFCC, the couple on May 6, 2015, obtained $30,570 from a firm, CIFERCOM LLC, under the pretext that the money was for the registration of the company in Nigeria preparatory to the award of an $8m contract to the firm by the Federal Government.
Seven counts of conspiracy and acquiring money under false pretences were filed against the defendants.
They both pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
Justice Hakeem Oshodi found the pair guilty of the charges and convicted them during a court hearing on Thursday.
The prosecution counsel was not present in court, but the second defendant’s counsel, G.A. Adewunmi, pleaded with the court to balance justice with mercy.
Adewunmi said, “This is a first time offence for the defendants and they have realised their mistake. The second defendant, Juliet Ezeama, has been coming to court since she was arrested on September 8, 2016.
”They are parents who also have children that need parental care.”
Counsel for the first defendant, Mr A. Adepoju, also pleaded with the court to be lenient on the couple.
The convicts’ bail was revoked by Justice Oshodi, who detained them in the Ikoyi Custodial Centre.
He adjourned the matter until July 7, 2022 for sentencing.
