EFCC arraigned two firms, others over alleged N7.8bn fraud

Peter Fowoyo

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday arraigned two firms before a Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos for allegedly inducing a financial institution to deliver to Danium Energy Services Limited a sum to the tune of N1, 573, 146, 000.00 (One Billion, Five Hundred and Seventy Three Million, One Hundred and Forty Six Thousand Naira), under the false pretence that Total Nigeria Plc vide a letter dated October 5, 2016 with the reference number OPS/SUP/10/16/361 contracted Danium Energy Services Limited to supply 10, 000 Metric Tons of Automotive Gas Oil for the sum of N1,990,440,000.00 (One Billion, Nine Hundred and Ninety Million, Four Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira).

The firms: Danium Energy Services Limited, and Petrosol Energy Limited were dragged before the court alongside Ogbor Kehinde Eliot and Godwin Okoronkwo, on a 10 count charge that touches on the alleged offence.

According to the charge dated October 3, 2017 and designated CB:3000/EFCC/LS/CTGI/STF/LD/VO L.01/, the defendants were also said to have conspired and defrauded the financial institution.

The EFCC said Eliot, and Danium Energy Services Limited on or about January 30, 2017 in Lagos, with intent to defraud conspired amongst themselves to induce the bank to deliver to Danium Energy Services Limited a sum to the tune of Three Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty Nine Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira under the false pretence that Total Nigeria Plc vide a letter dated January 30, 2017 contracted the energy firm to supply 15,000 Metric Tons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) for the sum of Four Billion, One Hundred and Two Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira.

Eliot and the energy firm were said to have on February 3, 2017 induced the said bank to deliver to Danium Energy Services a sum to the tune of Three Billion, Three Hundred and Thirty Nine Million, Two Hundred and Twenty Five Thousand Naira under the false pretence that Total Nigeria Plc vide a letter dated January 30, 2017 contracted the energy firm to supply 15,000 Metric Tons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) for the sum of Four Billion, One Hundred and Two Million, One Hundred Thousand Naira.

Besides, the anti-graft agency insisted that the duo on or about February 9, 2017 in Lagos allegedly conspired amongst themselves to commit fraud to the tune of Two Billion, Eight Hundred and Ninety Million, Two Hundred and Seventy Eight Thousand Naira under the false pretence that Total Nigeria Plc vide a letter dated February 9, 2017 contracted the energy firm to supply 15,000 Metric Tons of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) for the sum of Four Billion, Fifteen Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira.

But, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the ten counts when the charge was read to their hearing.

Shortly after the arraignment of the defendants, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo stated that in view of the plea taken by the accused persons, they have owned themselves up for trial. He urged the judge to accelerate the trial.

However, counsel to the 1st and 3rd defendants, I.O Ayoade explained that he had filed an application for bail on behalf of his client.

He also prayed the court that his clients be remanded in EFCC custody pending the hearing and determination of the said bail application.

Also, lawyer to the 2nd and 4th defendants, Ilechukwu Emmanuel who argued in a similar vein added that the court can grant leave for the bail application to be argued orally.

He also called the court’s attention to the fact that the defendants have been in the custody of the EFCC.

Oyedepo said he needed time to respond to the bail applications and also asked the court to remand the defendants in prisons custody.

Justice Oguntoyinbo ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of the EFCC until Wednesday, October 11, 2017 pending when their bail application will be heard.