The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Wednesday, arrested a man, Ibrahim Idris, for conspiracy and obtaining N70m (Seventy Million Naira) under false pretence.

Ibrahim Idris was arraigned before Justice J. Oriji of the FCT High Court in Abuja, on a two-count charge. Idris allegedly obtained the sum from his victim by deceiving him into believing that the money was a requirement to establish his capacity to execute a contract of auctioning assets forfeited to the Federal Government.

“Idris Ibrahim on or about 11th December 2020, in Abuja, within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory with the intent to defraud obtained the sum of N50,000,000.00 (Fifty Million Naira) from Fatai Ibrahim by falsely representing to him that the money was a requirement to show the capacity to execute a contract of auctioning assets forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, a representation which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006,” count one of the charges reads.

Count two reads, “That you, Idris Ibrahim, on or about 29th December 2020, in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million Naira) from Fatai Ibrahim by falsely representing to him that the money was a requirement to show the capacity to execute a contract of auctioning assets forfeited to the  Federal Government of Nigeria, a representation which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (3) (a) and punishment under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”

However, the defendant “pleaded not guilty” to the charges, and in view of his plea, prosecuting counsel A. M Ocholi asked the court to remand the defendant in custody and fix a date for trial to commence.

But the defence counsel, A.O Alaga informed the court of a pending application for the bail of his client and urged the court to admit the defendant to bail.

The prosecution opposed the application on the grounds that the defendant was a flight risk.

However, Justice Oriji granted bail to the defendant in the sum of N30m (Thirty Million Naira) only and two sureties in like sum.  One of the sureties must have a property in Abuja, with the original Certificate of Occupancy confirmed by the court.

The second surety must be a civil servant of Grade Level 12 or above, which office address shall be confirmed by the court. Furthermore, the defendant is not to travel outside Nigeria without the permission of the court

The date for the commencement of trial will be communicated to the parties as soon as the court resumes from vacation.

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