Admin I November 09, 2016
Lagos, Nigeria – A Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has been told how two Oyo state-based businessmen, Jimoh Aremu Oderinde and Sheriff Olaseni Ajaga allegedly used the name of former Comptroller- General of Nigerian Customs Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko to obtained N30.7million by false pretence from their suspect.
An operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Kajethan Egerue, made the revelation in his evidence before the court presided over by Justice Kudirat Jose.
The EFCC slammed a 7 count charge on the duo, Oderinde and Ajaga for conspiracy to obtain money and obtaining money by false pretence contrary to Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offence Act No 14 of 2006.
In his testimony led by the EFCC counsel, Mrs Vera Agboje and Olakunle Afolabi, the witness told the court that he knew the defendants following a petition written by one Jimoh Oyesiji dated February 9, 2015.
He said that the defendants collected the money from the complainant as cost to facilitate the release of his goods which were seized by the Nigeria Custom Service.
He said that sometimes in 2014, the complainant imported 8,000 bags of rice which was seized by the Nigeria Custom Service, and that the 1st defendant told him he knows someone working with the presidency that will facilitate release of the goods.
According to him, the 1st defendant organised a meeting with the complainant and 2nd defendant (Sheriff Ajaga) who acted as George Olawale who said he had discussed the matter with then custom boss, Alhaji Dikko.
“Before the meeting, 1st defendant collected N200, 000.00 to facilitate a meeting and second defendant collected N1million. Then 2nd defendant forwarded first bank account to the complainant into which he instructed his business partner to transfer the N29.5million,” Egerue said.
He further told court that operatives of EFCC then wrote the bank to get account details of George Olawale and the bank responded.
“From the response, we discovered that the sum of N29, 500, 000 was paid by the complainant. We also got to know that N7million was transferred to one Toyin Oderinde, wife of the 1st defendant. Then N7million was transferred to 2nd defendant’s Diamond bank with name Oderinde.
“When Toyin Oderinde was invited, she said her husband (Sheriff) transferred the money into her account. The 2nd defendant instructed the 1st defendant how to transfer the money,” the witness affirmed. The EFCC operative said 2nd defendant (Olawale) was subsequently arrested.
“The 2nd defendant used N7.8million to purchase Honda Accord, 2014 model. The car was later collected from him and registered as exhibit. He then agreed to refund the money. 1st defendant transferred money to Agro Company Limited to buy tractor. The tractor was then recovered at Owode in Oyo State, and he made refund of N2million.
Justice Jose has adjourned further hearing till November 22, 2016
