Crime

Police Set to Arraign Obanikoro’s Son and Four Others for N1.3 Billion Fraud on February 27

Published by Tope Fakinlede on January 27th, 2025.

Police Set to Arraign Obanikoro’s Son and Four Others for N1.3 Billion Fraud on February 27

The Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled the arraignment of Gbolahan Obanikoro, the son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four others for February 27, 2025, in connection with an alleged N1.3 billion fraud. The accused individuals include Adejare Adegbenro (51), Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, and DDSS International Company Limited.

They are facing five charges related to conspiracy, fraudulent misrepresentation, obtaining money under false pretenses, and other fraud-related offenses.

The court date was set after the defendants failed to appear for their original arraignment. Prosecution counsel, Momoh Bello, informed the court that all parties had been served with notices. However, when the defendants did not show up, he requested the court issue a bench warrant for their arrest.

Joshua Abel, the lawyer representing M.O.B. Integrated Limited, objected to the request for a bench warrant. He explained that the company had only received the court summons late Wednesday and that several directors were out of the country, preventing him from adequately preparing for the case.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa asked the prosecution to provide proof of service. He noted that while service had been confirmed for M.O.B. Integrated Limited, there was no evidence the individual defendants had been properly served. He instructed the prosecution to ensure all defendants are personally served and adjourned the matter until February 27, 2025.

The charges stem from allegations that, between May and September 2013, the accused individuals conspired to fraudulently obtain N1,356,057,330.43 from Access Bank (formerly Diamond Bank). The defendants allegedly deceived bank staff, claiming they needed the funds to import cars from Dubai for resale in Nigeria. The funds were reportedly used for personal purposes, and the accused are also charged with laundering the money.

The offenses allegedly violated sections of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act, as well as provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.