By Chizoba Ogbeche
Abuja
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC, has arraigned three persons: Mohammed Rabiu, 65; Raphael Olorunfemi Okomoda, 50; and Adegbdsan Theophilus, 38; before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, over N141.7m securities scam.
A statement by the commission’s Head, Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, stated that they were arraigned on charges bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false presence, stealing, impersonation, forgery, using false document and money laundering.
The statement said: “The defendants were arrested by operatives of the Commission following a report of fraudulent sale of shares of two deceased shareholders who had shares in several blue chip companies including, Agip Nigeria Limited, Total Oil, Union Bank Nigeria Plc, Nestle Nigeria Plc, Mobil Oil Nigeria Plc, Unilever Nigeria Plc and Nigeria Breweries Plc.
“The stocks originally belonged to Alhaji Shande Ako Dzungwe and Alhaji Isa Koto (both deceased), but were fraudulently claimed, converted and sold by the three defendants.”
The EFCC spokesperson gave the total value of shares converted and sold by the three defendants as N141, 652,951, adding that Lawan allegedly forged identity cards, drivers’ licence; school certificates and International Passports of both Dzungwe and Koto, to perfect the scam.
The defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges preferred against them.
Counsel to the three defendants, J. H. Bashir, informed the court of his bail application and a written address, urging the court to grant the defendants bail.
However, prosecuting counsel, Fadike Giwa, prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants in prison custody, adding that she had filed a 22-paragraph counter-affidavit and a written address urging the court to deny the defendants bail in favour of accelerated hearing of the suit.
Justice Akapo, after listening to both counsel, reserved for ruling on bail applications and ordered that the defendants be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Prison, Lagos.
