EFCC Arraigns Suspected Conman for N9.9m Scam
By Adetokunbo Fakeye
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday July 2, 2014 arraigned Gboyega Tifase before Justice Sedoten Ogunsanyan of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on a 3-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining goods under false pretences and issuance of dud cheques.
Tifase, according to EFCC spokesman, Wilso Uwujaren allegedly defaulted in remitting the sum of N7.7million (Seven Million, Seven Hundred Thousand Naira only), being the proceeds that should accrue to Barrister Abolanle Shittu, for the supply of five vehicles to him for sale.
Shittu reportedly offered the five vehicles to Tifase in the sum of N9.9million( Nine Million, Nine Hundred Thousand Naira only) but Tifase only remitted the sum of N1.8million( One Million, Eight Hundred Thousand Naira only), leaving a balance of N7.7million.
The suspect also allegedly issue two cheques to Shittu which were returned owing to insufficient funds in his account. When the charges were read to him, he pleaded not guilty.
One of the charges reads:
“That you, Gboyega Tifase and Bronx Photo Express sometimes in April, 2013, in Lagos State within the Ikeja Judicial Division, stole by fraudulently converting to your own use two 2007 Toyota Camry cars, grey and silver colour respectively, both valued at Five Million Naira (N5,000,000.00), two 2004 Toyota Corolla Cars, silver and gold colour respectively, both valued at Three Million Naira (N3,000,000.00) and a 2004 Honda Accord, grey colour, valued at One Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N1,500,000.00), totalling the sum of Nine Million Five Hundred Thousand Naira (N9,500,000.00), property of Abolanle Shittu”.
In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Kamil Bashiru asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the accused person in prison custody. However, defence counsel, Idrees Openiyi urged the court to let him apply for bail orally, a prayer that was turned down by the court.
Justice Ogunsanya adjourned the matter to 22nd October, 2014 and ordered that the defendant be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum prison, Lagos.
