The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday, arraigned one Samson Ogunowo (aka Joyce, Larry), a suspected internet fraudster before Hon. Justice Mohammed Abubakar of the Federal High Court 1, sitting in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The defendant was arraigned on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and possession of false documents.
One of the counts reads, “That you Samson Ogunowo (a.k.a Joyce) sometimes in 2019, at Ago-Iwoye within the jurisdiction of this honorable court with intent to defraud obtained Gift Card of $100 USD (One Hundred United State of American Dollars) from one Brenda Hardly a United State of America Citizen when you falsely represented to her that you are one Larry, among other misrepresentations, which representation you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act. Ogunowo pleaded not guilty to the allegations when read to him. Subsequent upon his ‘not guilty’ plea, the prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur, prayed the court for a trial date and an order to remand the accused in prison custody.
However, counsel to the defendant, Chief Olusesan Bankole, moved a bail application on behalf of his client, praying the court to grant the bail on very liberal terms. After considering argument from both side, the presiding judge granted the defendant bail in the sum of Three Million Naira, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties, the court further held, must be residents within Ogun State and must be a Civil Servant not below Grade Level 10.
The case was adjourned to March 27th, 2019 for trial, as the defendant was ordered to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
