Admin l Monday, July 10, 2017
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – A Lagos High Court, sitting in Ikeja today granted bail to embattled American national, Marco Antonio Ramirez in the sum of $250, 000 about N91, 250, 000 for defrauding three Nigerian citizens of $565,000.
Ramirez who has been cooling his head in prison denied the allegation when he was arraigned on a 16 count charge of obtaining money by false pretence and conspiracy to commit fraud charged against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Justice Josephine Oyefeso granted bail following a 19 paragraph affidavit and a written address filed on June 23, 2017 by the defence, chukwudi Maduka on grounds of ill-health.
The judge, however, considered the fact before the court which revealed that the defendant, at a time, was held in EFCC detention for about 130 days in Abuja without bail before being arraigned on April 8, 2016.
The judge further highlighted that the defendant was later granted bail by an FCT High Court but was later arraigned again by the commission in Lagos in June 22, 2017, on the same charge, after being detained for 10 days.
Justice Oyefeso said, “it is at the discretion of the court to grant bail and having considered the nature of the offence, though not a capital offence but are very serious one, the defendant is hereby admitted to bail in the sum of $250, 000 or in it’s naira equivalent.
“The defendant shall produce two sureties who must be resident in Lagos State. One of the sureties should be a Director or a Board member in a reputable company. The two sureties should must have a landed property in a high brow area of Lagos and shall present evidence of tax payment which must be verified by the Chief Registrar.
“Both sureties must show evidence of viable source of livelihood and shall swear an affidavit to prove same. A copy of the bail conditions shall be sent to all immigration agencies both Land and Air. The defendant must report once a week to the EFCC office.
The judge, however, adjourned the matter till November 15 and 16, 2017 for continuation of trial. Meanwhile, according to the prosecution, V.O Aigboje, Ramirez committed the alleged offences sometime between February and August 201
Aigboje said that the offence committed was contrary to Sections 1(2) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related offences Acts 2006 and punishable under Sections 1(3) of the same Act.
However, according to the charge: Ramirez being the Managing Director of three companies, USA Now Plc, Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Energy Capital Group, allegedly collected $10,000 from one Olukayode Sodimu under the pretext that the money was meant to facilitate an American Green Card with the US Immigration Services.
“Ramirez was further accused of fraudulently obtaining $10,000 for one Abubakar Umar through a fictious investment program in the US in order for the latter to be eligible for a US green card”.
“The commission also alleged that Ramirez collected the sum of $545,000 from one Ambassador Godson Echejue under the pretext that the money was meant for investing in his company Eagle Ford Limited in order to facilitate procuring of a US green card.
