The absence of defence counsel yesterday stalled the trial of Marco Ramirez, an American who allegedly defrauded three Nigerians of $565,000 in an American Green Card scam, at an Ikeja High Court. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on June 22, last year, arraigned Ramirez before Justice Josephine Oyefeso on a 16-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false presences. The accused plead not guilty to the charges and the judge granted him $250,000 bail with two sureties in like sum on July 10, last year. At yesterday’s resumed sitting of the court, Ramirez, who has fulfilled his bail conditions, informed the court that he had no legal representation. “I have no legal representation this morning, my Lord. I have been unable to reach my lawyer,” he said. EFCC’s prosecuting lawyer, Mrs V. O. Agboje, prayed the court for a new trial date. “The defence lawyers were present in court at the last adjourned date. I urge the court for a new trial date,” she said. Justice Oyefeso granted the request of the prosecuting counsel and adjourned the matter till June 26 for the parties to pick a trial date. Ramirez, who has been convicted in absentia of fraud-related offences in the United States, is said to be the Managing Director of three companies – U.S.A Now Plc, Eagleford Instalodge Group and U.S.A Now Capital Group. According to the EFCC, he committed the offences between February and August 2013. The American was accused of fraudulently receiving $545,000 from Ambassador Godson Echejue to invest in Ramirez’s company. It was learnt that the plan was to procure an American green card (permanent residence card) for the Nigerian. Ramirez was also said to have received $10,000 from Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S.A, to make Umar eligible to obtain an American passport. The EFCC also accused Ramirez of illegally receiving $10,000 from Olukayode Sodimu in the pretext that the funds were facilitation fees with the American Immigration Services for an American Green Card.]]>
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