Abdulazeez Abdulwahab
THE Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) earlier today (Thursday, 16th March 2023) re-arraigned Portia Emilia for an alleged One Hundred and Ten Million Naira (N110m) fraud before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of a Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
Emilia was re-arraigned alongside her company, Savanah Crest Investment Limited, on an amended five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal, contrary to Section 411 and punishable under Section 287 (5) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015; obtaining money and property by false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1)(2) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006; Stealing, contrary to Section 280(1) (12)8(7), 285(1) and 278(1)b) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011; and retaining stolen property, contrary to Section 328 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015.
Emilia, who also took the plea of the company, pleaded “not guilty” to all the charges.
The prosecution counsel, F. Ofoma, informed the court that the prosecution would close its case, having called two witnesses, through whom several pieces of documentary evidence were tendered.
“The prosecution hereby applies to close its case,” he said.
The defence counsel, J.J. Amodu, prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him to prepare for his case. “We also pray this Honourable Court to, upon the re-arraignment of the defendant, allow her to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted by the court,” he said.
The prayer of the defence was granted and the case was adjourned till 22 June 2023 for defence.