The Inspector General of Police, through legal officer S.O. Ayodele from the Federal Criminal Investigation Department in Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, has filed a two-count charge against Nigerian businessman Ebi Otisaye Ogionwo for obtaining money by false pretenses and theft.
In the charges presented before the Federal High Court in Lagos, Ayodele alleges that in 2022, Ogionwo fraudulently acquired $300,000 from Mr. Oluwatosin Adefila of Beltzemo Nigeria Limited. The funds were supposedly intended to finance an oil trading business, a claim that Ayodele contends was false.
These charges against Ogionwo violate Section 1 (1) (c) and are punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006.
The charges as filed before the court are as follows:
**Count One:**
That you, Ebi Otisaye Ogionwo, “M,” sometime in 2022, in Lagos and within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did obtain the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) from Mr. Oluwatosin Adefila of Beltzemo Nigeria Limited by false pretenses, intending to defraud. You claimed that the funds would be used to finance an oil trading business, a representation you knew to be false, thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 1 (1)(c) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.
**Count Two:**
That you, Ebi Otisaye Ogionwo, “M,” on the same date, time, and place, and within the aforementioned jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, did steal the sum of Three Hundred Thousand Dollars ($300,000.00) from Mr. Oluwatosin Adefila of Beltzemo Nigeria Limited, thereby committing an offense contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Meanwhile, October 14, 2024, has been set for the arraignment of the defendant.
