EFCC Docks Suspect Over N45m Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday October 15, 2012, arraigned one Ibukun Adebayo Adedayo before Justice Habeeb Abiru of the Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, on a 24 count charge bordering on stealing, forgery and uttering to the tune of N45, 121, 509.93 (Forty five million one hundred and twenty one thousand five hundred naira).

 Adedayo allegedly converted money entrusted to her firm, Structured Financial Group of Ventures to personal use by forging the e-mail instruction of clients. 

One of the charges read: “Ibukun Adebayo Adedayo on or about the 13^th of June, 2008 at Lagos within Ikeja Judicial Division whilst being Head of Structured Financial Group of Ventures and Trust Limited stole and fraudulently converted the sum of N7, 000,000 (seven million naira) property of Mrs Olajumoke Obafemi in her account with Ventures and Trust Limited.”

Another charge read: “Ibukun Adebayo Adedayo on or about the 4th of August, 2008 at Lagos within Ikeja Judicial Division whilst being Head of Structured Financial Group of Ventures and Trust Limited stole and fraudulently converted the sum of N6, 5000, 000(six million five hundred thousand naira) property of one Olajumoke Obafemi which sum you debited from her account with Ventures and Trust Limited and credit to the account of Manamachi Technobuild Services with Zenith Bank Plc and Converted same”.

 The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge, prompting prosecution counsel, Takiyudeen Arabi, to ask the court to remand her in prison custody and give a date for the commencement of trial.  

However, counsel to the defendant, Olukemi Omotosho said she had filed an application for bail and asked the court for a short adjourned date to consider the application. She also pleaded that the accused person be remanded in EFCC custody.

Justice Abiru adjourned the case to October 22, 2012 for hearing of bail application and ordered that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody.

The national emergency management agency, NEMA has warned people living close to river banks to stay clear of their houses for now until the flood recedes.

NEMA's Director of search and rescue, Air commodore Charles Otegbade who gave the warning in an interview with Rhythm news said the flood still poses serious threat to human lives.

On the allegation of diversion of material meant for people in displaced camps, the zonal Director of the agency in the south east, Dr Dele Onimode dismissed it as false.

 It would be recalled that during the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to a displaced camp at Aguleri, he predicted that the flood will fully recede by the middle of next month.