Man collects N12.5m to supply diesel, fails

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned one Festus Agbomodion before Justice A.M. Anka of the Federal High Court, Yola, Adamawa State on two counts bordering on fraud.

Agbomodion was on Thursday arraigned on charges bordering on intent to defraud and obtaining under false pretence to the tune of N12.5m.

The charges read, “That you, Festus Agbomodion on or about 2nd of January, 2019 at Yola, Adamawa State, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N12,500,000 (Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira only) from one Mr Johnson Seun Femi under false pretences that the said sum was meant for the supply of two trucks of diesel to Bretrogeen Enterprises limited (A limited liability Company) which you knew to be false and hereby committed an  offence contrary to Section 1 (1)(a) and punishable in Section 1(3) of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

“That you Festus Agbomodion and Okeke Magnus sometime on or about 2nd of January, 2019 at Yola, Adamawa State, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, did retain the sum of N12,500,000 (Twelve Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira only) from one Mr. Johnson Seun Femi as money for the supply of two trucks of diesel to Bretrogeen Enterprises limited (A limited liability Company) knowing or reasonably ought to have known that such fund formed part of a proceed of unlawful activity to wit, obtaining by false pretence and there by committed an offense contrary to Section 15 (2)(d) and punishable in Section 15(3) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011.”

In view of his plea of “not guilty”,  the prosecution counsel, M.O. Labaran prayed the court for a trial date  while the defence counsel,  S.O. Akporido  informed the court of an existing bail application for the defendant.

Justice Anka granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5m and one surety in like sum, adding that the surety must be resident and must own a landed property in the defendant’s community

The judge remanded him in Adamawa Correctional Centre pending fulfilment of his bail conditions and adjourned the matter to February 29, 2024 for trial.