The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) today, arraigned an alleged fraud suspect, Okafor Stanley, for attempting to defraud Zenith Bank Plc of the sum of $232.8 million USD.
The alleged fraud suspect, Okafor, was arraigned before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos State, alongside his company, Labrador Shipping Services Limited, on a 12 count-charge of obtain by false pretence, forgery, fraud, falsification of documents and being in possession of documents containing false information.
Arraigning the alleged fraud suspect today, EFCC counsel, Mr. Idris A. Muhammed, told Justice Taiwo that the Suspect committed the offence between November 2019 and February 202.
To carried out the alleged offences, the prosecutor told the court that the defendant forged several Bank of America confirmation and Barclays Bank messages on Swift Code Transaction purporting it to represent a transfer of various sums amounting to $232.8 million USD, to different companies account belongs to him.
The companies accounts he was accused of intending to use as conduit pipes to wire the monies are; Labrador Shipping Services Limited; Blessdore Oil and Gas Limited and Frankann Global Enterprises Limited.
The prosecutor told that the offences commited by the defendant are contrary to and punishment under sections 8(b)and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
He also told the court that the offences are contrary to Section 364 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011 and punishable under the same Section.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the 12 counts charge.
Upon the defendant’s plea of not guilty, his Counsel, Onyeisi Ofulue, asked the court for a short adjoumment, for hearing and determination of his clients’ bail appllication.
But the prosecutor, Mr. Idris, urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till the determination of the charges against him.
Ruling of the Submissions of parties, Justice Taiwo, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the EFCC till December 2, when his bail application shall be heard and determined.
