Businessman in court for alleged N10m fraud in Benin

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has arraigned a businessman, James Bodisowei, before Justice C. A. Obiozor of the Federal High Court sitting in Benin City, Edo State.

Bodisowei was arraigned on four counts by the Benin Zonal command of the Commission for allegedly obtaining the sum of N10m from one Amah Mathias under false pretences.

He is alleged to have defrauded the victim under the pretex of supplying him with 1,000,000 liters of automated gas oil (AGO).

The counts reads partly, That you James Bodisowei, on or about the 18th day of November, 2021 in Benin City, Edo State within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, did obtain the sum of N5m (Five million naira) from Amah Nchekwube Mathias via your bank account number: 0074094768 domiciled in Sterling Bank under the false pretences that same was part-payment for the purchase and/or supply of 500,000 liters of Automated Gas Oil (AGO) which pretense you knew was false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

Upon arraignment, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge prompting the prosecution counsel, Francis Jirbo to pray the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial and to remand the defendant at the Correctional Service facilities.

Defence counsel Gloria Edaghese told the court that she has filed an application for bail for the defendant.

After hearing the submission of both counsels, Justice Obiozor adjourned to May 2, 2024 for commencement of trial while the defendant would be remanded pending the hearing of the bail application slated for February 20.