Two mem, Adeyemi Oluwaseun and Suleiman Yusuf Obhakume, were today re-arraigned before a Lagos Federal High Court, on allegations bordering on conspiracy, identity theft, cyber stalking and N14. N14, 749, 000 million fraud, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The two defendants, who are employees of First Marina Trust Limited, were formerly arraigned arraigned sometimes in 2018, before Justice Austine Obiozor, who has been transferred to o the another division of the court.
At the resumed hearing of the charges against the two defendants today, the prosecutor, Nnemenka Omewa, told Justice Tijjani Ringim, that the charge is coming up for the first time before the court, hence the plea of the defendants should be retaken.
Counsel to the defendants aligned themselves with the prosecutor’s submissions. Consequently, the court ordered that the charges be read to the two defendants for their plea to be taken.
Upon the reading of the charges, the two defendants pleaded not guilty.
And with their not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand them in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the determination of the charges.
But their counsel, pleaded with the court to let their clients continue to enjoy the bail terms granted them by the former trial judge, Justice Obiozor. Adding that their clients have not breach the bail terms granted them.
Justice Ringim acceded to the counsel’s request and ordered the defendants to continue with the bail terms earlier granted them by Justice Obiozor.
The defendants’ trial has been adjourned till October 17.
EFCC in the charges marked FHC/L/52c/18, alleged that the two defendants on June 22, 2018, while working with First Marina Trust Limited, a financial institution on or about the conspired among themselves impersonated one Mr. Lanre Ishola, with the use of computer system.
They were also accused of using the name of Lanre Ishola to fraudulenty obtained the sum of N14, 749 million, from First Marina Trust Limited.
EFCC also accused the defendants to have on 17, 2016, hacked altered the email address of Mr. Lanre Ishola and Ohamuo Chimezie, using the computer system(s} from “lanreishola@yahoo.com to lanreishola1@yahoo.com and chimexohamuo@yahoo.com to chimexohamuo1@yahoo.com with the intention that the email will be acted upon as genuine.
The offences according to the EFCC are Sections 27(1) (b); 22(2)(3) and 13 of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention etc) Act, 2015 and punishable under section 27 (2) of the same Act.
