A Ponzi scheme operator, who allegedly duped a retired Army Colonel, a Professor and some others of the sum of N1. 286, 580, 656 billion, was today arraigned before Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court,Lagos.
The Ponzi Scheme operator, Michael Ukiye Diongoli, was arraigned by operatives of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID), Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos, on an eight-count charge of Conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, and fraud.
Ukiye was arraigned on the alleged crimes alongside his two firms, UK-Don Group and UK-Dion Investment Limited.
He was accused of defrauding his victims, under false pretence of multiple Returns On Investiment (ROI) within the period of six months to one year of thier investment.
Some of the alleged fraud victims includes: Dr. Basil Onugu, Prof. Onyekachi Green Nwankwo, his wife, Elizabeth U. Onyekachi Green, Nnenna Ikubogh, Securities Ltd, Uchenna Nwankwo, Chinyere Oguejiofor, Sekoni A. Adetokunmo, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Prof. Iloeje Casmir, Lillian Ofondu, Suliaman Mamman, MTN Employer Cooperative, Gabriel Andrew, Obieme Adaku K., Col. Chukwu Terngu (Rtd) and others.
The prosecutor, Mrs. Ezema Susan, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) while arraigning the defendant today, told the court that the defendants allegedly committed the offences within December 2021and April 2022.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences contravened Sections 8 (a), 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related OffencesAct, 2006 and Punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
The defendant, denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his not guilty plea, his counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN) who led other lawyers, informed the court that his client’s bail application has been filed and same has been served on the prosecutor.
Responding to the bail appllication, the prosecutor, Mrs. Ezema said although, the defendant’s lawyer has informed her that the bail summons has been served on the Prosecution, but the she is yet to receive it.
She therefore pleaded with the court for a short adjournment so that she can get a copy of the bail summons and see if she will be responding to court.
Meanwhile, Justice Lewis-Allagoa, while ordering that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the prosecution,( police) adjourned till Tuesday, for hearing of the bail appllication.
