The Benin Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday prosecuted the duo of Ibrahim Ojo Jacob Israel and Daisi Osagie (also known as Double Head), before Judge SM Shuaibu of the Federal High Court sitting in the city from Benin, Edo State. for a four-count charge bordering on identity theft and falsely obtaining money.
According to a statement on Friday from Head of Media and Publicity Wilson Uwujaren, the defendants are alleged to have defrauded unsuspecting members of the public by posing as marketing officials for the Nigerian Customs Service.
One of the charges reads: “that you, Ibrahim Ojo Jacob Israel, Daisi Osagie (also known as Double Chief) and others now at large sometime in 2018 in Benin City, Edo State, within the jurisdiction of this Hon. Court on the 2nd day of February 2018 with the intent to defraud induced a certain Cole Emmanuel O. to pay the sum of N3,500,000.00 into Guaranty Trust Bank account No.0246816677 in the name of Ibrahim Ojo Jacob Israel pretending to be Folounsho Oladunni, a purported Nigerian Customs Service marketing officer, as partial payment for two cars, a statement which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offense contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offenses Act of 2006 and punishable under the same Act.”
The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to them in court.
In view of their pleas, the prosecution’s attorney, Austin Ozigbu, begged the court to set a trial date and send the defendants to a correctional facility.
However, the defense attorney, BE Ambrose, begged the court to grant them bail, as the crime was bailable and one of the defendants had physical problems.
Judge Shuaibu granted the defendants bail in the amount of N500,000 and a surety in the same amount. The guarantor must be an official of not less than 15th grade.
In a similar development, on Thursday, January 27, the Command indicted David Olasunkanmi Olalekan on an 18-count fraud charge before Justice Professor CAObiozor of the Federal High Court of Benin.
The defendant, managing director of Ghaip Caregivers Academy, is alleged to have used the pretext that his company was affiliated with the American Caregivers Association, to extort money from unsuspecting members of the public for money for training, certifying and visa processing.
Following the arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
In view of his plea, the prosecution’s lawyer, FO Dibang, begged the court to set a trial date. However, the defense attorney, Abdullai Tony Dania, informed the court that he had submitted a bail application to the court.
Judge Obiozor adjourned until February 2, 2022 for the hearing of the bail request.
