Posted by By Friday Ekeoba, Lagos on
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), yesterday chronicled the tricks allegedly employed by Lagos Lawyer cum businessman, Chief Fred Ajudua in defrauding a German national, Mr. Remmy Hendrick Luigih to the tune of $1.6 million.
The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), yesterday chronicled the tricks allegedly employed by Lagos Lawyer cum businessman, Chief Fred Ajudua in defrauding a German national, Mr. Remmy Hendrick Luigih to the tune of $1.6 million.
Representing EFCC before an Ikeja High Court at the resumed trial of Ajudua and Mr. Charles Orie, prosecution witness, Police Superintendent Adegbite Olaolu said the duo were arrested in line with investigation facts and figure traceable to them.
Olaolu narrated how the subjects used fake documents purported to have emanated from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Aviation, the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, a letter from the Accountant General of the Federation and the National Intelligence Agency but were discovered to be false.
Also addresses on documents, telephones lines quoted and the signature said to be that of Dr. Adamu Ciroma who was finance minister in 1999, were found to be fake. Olaolu who was giving evidence in chief said their investigation was based on a petition sent to them by Luigi in Holland (fraud victim).
'Another step taken was that we wrote formally to the Dutch police in respect of the case originally reported by the victim (Luigi), the IPO of the case in Holland, Mr. Schepp sent us a report. He faxed the report to us," absorbing the victims of any criminal records.
'The fraud was committed in London and US but feelers from Luigi in the course of the business transaction were found in the possession of one Fawehinmi in London who later escaped while on bail. But the name Isa Andu was traceable to sue Ajudua and the phone lines to Charles Orie, Olaolu added.
EFCC also told the court that as informed by the IPO in Holland through a fax letter, the victim was defrauded of his personal savings through a bank in Nigeria (names withheld).
Besides, it was noticed yesterday that while giving evidence, Olaolu and first suspect (Ajudua) were making eye contact on what to say and not to say.
Ajudua, Orie, Ade-Bendel, Angunous Okoro and the re-elected member of the House of Representatives, Chief Maurice Ibekwe were arraigned severally at the Ikeja High Court on May 30 2003 by EFCC for Economic and Financial Crime matters to the tune of several billions of naira.
Meanwhile, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has fixed 17, 18 and 19 September 2003, as definite dates for the trial of Murice Ibekwe.