The Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, re-arraigned the duo of Chinyere Monye and Ajayi Justina for an alleged N20m fraud before Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos.
The Commission’s Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, in a press statement in Abuja, said they were re-arraigned alongside a company, AER Global Investment LTD, on a five-count charge bordering conspiracy to steal, stealing and obtaining under false pretence to the tune of N20 million.
He said one of the counts read: “That you, Chinyere Monye, Ajayi Justina, AER Global International, Pastor Owolabi (still at large), Ciolanky Concepts (still at large) Idudalovert (still at large) and Jodaf Investments Limited(still at large), on April 11, 2017, conspired to dishonestly convert the sum of N20 million property of Johnson Okeke, to the use of Jodaf Investment LTD.”
The Spokesperson said another count read: “That you, Ajayi Justina and AER Global International, on the 11th of April, 2017 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, dishonestly converted the sum of N19,500,000.00 (Nineteen million five hundred thousand Naira), property of Johnson Okeke, to the use of Jodaf Concepts.”
Another count read: “That you, Chinyere Monye, on the 10th of April, 2017, in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, induced Johnson Okeke to deliver the sum of N20 million into the account of Chris Monye under the false pretense that your brother based in Malaysia will deliver the dollar equivalent of $50,000 to Johnson Okeke’s supplier in China.”
Hr said the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges when they were read to them and in view of their pleas, Prosecuting Counsel, Suleiman I. Suleiman, prayed the court for a trial date, just as he also informed the court that he intended to call six witnesses.
Oyewale said while responding, Counsel to the First Defendant, M.O. Hassan, as well as Counsel to the Second and Third Defendants, F.C. Nnaji, prayed the court to allow their clients to continue to enjoy the bail conditions previously granted them.
He said Justice Fadipe adjourned the case till June 30, 2025 for commencement of trial.
The Judge also granted the defendants’ applications to maintain their previous bail conditions.”