The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC has ducked three suspected fraudsters namely, Helen Oyelowo, Manshop Christopher and Paul A. Okache for obtaining the sum of N3.8m under false pretence. They were arraigned before Justice J.O.E. Adeyemi-Ajayi on June 7, 2022 on fourteen count charges bordering on obtaining under false pretences. Specifically, the trio are accused of obtaining money by false pretence from Nwoye Chinonso Emmanuel, Gbolade Adediran, Joseph Lafidi Kingo, Nwosu Agatha Chinyere, Dagett Zaram and Kemi Oluwatoyin totalling N3.8 million representing 50 per cent processing fee of a Federal Government of Nigeria COVID-19 grant for civil servants. They are also alleged to have collected a total sum of N547, 615 as 10 percent legal fee of a Federal Government of Nigeria COVID-19 grant for civil servants.
Count 14 of the charge alleged that the 3rd defendant “retained the control of the aggregate sum of N547, 615 (Five Hundred and Forty Seven Thousand, Six hundred and Fifteen Naira) purportedly as 10% Legal Fees of a Federal Government of Nigeria COVID-19 grant for civil servants, proceeds of criminal conduct of Manshop Christopher when you know that proceeds are as a result of crime and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 17(a) and punishable under Section 17 (b) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004′.
They all pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them. Based on their pleas, defence counsels: Dominic Anyador and Agu Aondongu for the 1st defendant and Okache Frederick Obagwu and Efe G. Daniel for the 2nd and 3rd defendants applied for bail which was not objected to by the EFCC Counsel : H.M. Mohammed. Justice Adeyemi-Ajayi granted the defendants bail in the sum of N10, 000,000 (Ten Million Naira) each, with two sureties in like sum who must be civil servants on not less than grade level 13. He remanded the defendants in a Correctional Centre till bail is perfected. The matter was adjourned till September 20, 2022 for commencement of trial.
