• Lagos businessman faces trial over N342.9m fraud
A 24-year-old man, Victor Akande, was yesterday arraigned earlier than a State Chief Justice of the Peace’s Courtroom in Ado Ekiti for allegedly threatening the lifetime of the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Reverend Felix Femi Ajakaye.
The incident, in line with the cost, occurred on January 15, 2025, on the Bishop’s residence round 8:30 p.m. Akande is accused of threatening the Bishop’s life and fascinating in conduct prone to trigger a breach of peace. The fees are in violation of sections 46 and 181(1)(d) of the Legal guidelines of Ekiti State, 2021.
Upon listening to the fees, Akande pleaded not responsible. Police prosecutor, Inspector Bamikole Olasunkanmi, knowledgeable the courtroom of his intention to name three witnesses to assist the case.
Defence counsel, Opeyemi Esan, talked about that the Bishop had pardoned Akande however really helpful rehabilitation. Esan sought bail for the defendant, requesting a liberal time period.
Justice of the Peace Adefunke Anoma granted bail within the sum of N10,000 with one surety in like sum, who have to be a resident inside the courtroom’s jurisdiction. The case was adjourned to January 28, 2025, for a report on settlement or listening to.
Additionally, a Lagos businessman, Ogochukwu Vincent Ofodume, was arraigned earlier than a Federal Excessive Courtroom in Lagos for allegedly unlawfully changing N342.9 million.
Ofodume, alongside his companies—Huge V.I.P. Excellence Restricted, V.I.P. Impress Hollywood Restricted, and V.I.P. Flats Restricted—faces prices of conspiracy, acquiring by false pretence, and illegal conversion.
The prosecution, led by Mr Morufu Animashaun of the Power Legal Investigation Division (ForceCID), alleged that in 2023, Ofodume fraudulently obtained 1,228 bales of wax garments valued at N202.6 million from Chinese language businessman Zhu Yan Qin by one Igwe Ejiofor Kelvin.
Ofodume and his corporations are additionally accused of falsely acquiring N45.2 million from the businessman for the acquisition of timber from Guinea, which was meant for cargo to China.
The funds have been allegedly used to assemble his V.I.P. Flats. Ofodume denied all allegations and pleaded not responsible. The courtroom was knowledgeable that the prosecution would search a trial date, whereas requesting the defendant be remanded in Nigerian Correctional Companies custody pending trial.
Defence counsel, Felicia Nosike, utilized orally for bail, however the courtroom directed {that a} formal software be filed. The case was adjourned to March 28, 2025, for trial, and the defendant was remanded pending the decision of his bail software.
