For alleged involvement in a Twenty Million (N20,000,000.00) foreign exchange scam, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned Solomon Idonije before a Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja.
EFCC arraigned Idonije before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo on seven counts bordering on obtaining the sum of Twenty Million, Eighty Thousand Naira (N20,080,00) only under false pretences.
The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant (Idonije) on 21st December 2020 in Lagos obtained the sum of Four Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira (N4.800,00.00) from Iyen Omowuiugbe for Forex Trade through Solomon Ace Forex Investments.
The defendant was said to have on 23rd December, 2020 obtained Four Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira (N4.100,000.00) only from Omowuiugbe by falsely representing to him that the money was for Forex Trade through Solomon Ace Forex Investments and that as an investor, will be entitled to 25% ROI (Return on Investment) in 25 days, whereas he used the money to offset his debts to other investors in the company.
The prosecution said his offences were contrary to Section 1(1) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Following Idonije’s plea of not guilty to all the counts’ charges, the prosecution counsel, Mr Gabriel Akaogu, prayed the court for a trial date.
However, the defendant’s counsel, Mr Jonathan Okagbero, told the court that he has applied for bail for the defendant.
But Justice Taiwo ordered that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody and adjourned the case to 13th July 2022 for a hearing of the bail application.