By Chizoba Ogbeche
Abuja
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), at the weekend arraigned one Oghenemi Michael Morowei, managing director, Standard Allied Universal Concept, before Justice Valentine Ashi of the High Court of the FCT, sitting in Apo, Abuja on a nine-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence.
A press statement signed by the Commission’s Head Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the suspect was being prosecuted for allegedly conspiring with other members of oil syndicate to sell a consignment of crude oil from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to Bascom Energy Limited.
One of the counts reads: ‘‘That you, Oghenemi Michael Morowei( a.k.a. Fubara Dan Jumbo, Boma Harry, Peterson Harry and Elder Dan Jumbo) trading under the name and style of Standard Allied Universal Concepts, George Olotu( at large), Bowoto Sunny Ola( at large) and Engr. Abiye Jumbo( at large) between 7thMarch, 2014 and 19th March, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did with intent to defraud obtain the sum of N8,000,000( Eight Million Naira only) from Bascom Energy Limited under the false pretence that same was payment for crude oil product which pretence you knew to be false.’’
Another count reads: ‘‘That you , Oghenemi Michael Morowei(a.k.a. Fubara Dan Jumbo, Boma Harry, Peterson Harry and Elder Dan Jumbo) trading under the name and style of Standard Allied Universal Concepts, George Olotu( at large), Bowoto Sunny Ola( at large) and Engr. Abiye Jumbo( at large) on the 11th of February, 2014 at Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did with intent to defraud obtain the sum of N1,500,000( One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from one Bascom Energy Limited under the false pretence that same was payment for crude oil product which pretence you knew to be false.’’
Justice Ashi granted the accused person bail in the sum of N50million with two sureties in like sum who must be resident within the jurisdiction of the court, must produce certified evidence of ownership of landed property and must always produce the accused person in court in subsequent proceedings, failing which they would be liable to pay the sum of N250million each.
The spokesperson said the case was adjourned till February 25, 2016, for commencement of trial.