Kemisola Oye
FOR alleged pretence of investing money in real estate and online forex investments, Justice Yelim Bogoro of a Federal High Court, Lagos has ordered the remand of the Chief Executive Officer of Bethsaida Investment Partners Limited, Akintayo Ebenezer Ogunleye in Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).
The judge ordered the CEO’s remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility following his not guilty plea to the 21 counts charge of fraud brought against him by the men of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Lagos.
Ogunleye was arraigned alongside his two companies; Bethsaida Investment Partners Limited and Hartfield Investment Limited.
The prosecution counsel, Mr Justine Enang, told the court that the defendants defrauded their victims with the pretence of Investing money in real estate and online Forex investments between 2020 and 2023.
Among those allegedly scammed by the defendants and the amount involved include; Adetoro Afonja, N75 million; Mabel Bade Ojeikere, N14 million; Kanayo Christian Chigbo, N25 million; Grace Eleojo Awotunde, N62, 592, 600, 43 million; Olusola Kehinde Ogundiji, N107 million; Olumide Afolabi Fasugba, N35 million; Ade Emmanuel Moses Oluboade, N11 million; Adebanjo Esther Olayinka, N13.6 million; Adebanjo Kolawole, N2 million and Adebanjo Ruth Tolaniji, N120, 000.00.
Others include; Victor Eyefa, N50 million; Eyefia Oluwatosin Oladimeji, N5 million; Ibukun Mayadenu, N30 million; Adefisan Olanrewaju, N15 million; Augustine Ohikenena, N20 million; Adeola Adeshewa Cola, N20 million; Shopefoluwa Balogun, N40 million; Dada Olufunke Olufolarin, N15.7 million; Ajia Ogugua, N30 million and Adeola Owolabi, N7, 945 million.
The prosecutor said the defendants alleged offence contravenes sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a), and is punishable under Section 1(3)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
The defendants denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to all the counts.
Following his plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand him in the NCoS’ custody till the determination of the charge.
But defendants counsel pleaded with the court to admit his client to bail, saying that the bail application had been filed and same had been served on the prosecutor.
Enang responded that he had just been served with the application while in court.
Justice Bogoro, after listening to counsel, adjourned the matter to 12 March 2024, for hearing of the bail application, and ordered that the defendant be remanded in NCoS’ custody.
Eighteen-Eleven Media