Police Charge Lawyer, Two Others With Alleged N120m Fraud

The accused, who were charged on Wednesday are facing a six count-charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining the sum of N120 million under false pretence, false presentation and forgery. Others charged alongside the lawyer are Mukaila Fakos and Engineer Rasaq Sefiu Adesina. The defendants were charged before the court presided over by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke. According to the police in charge No FHC/L/70c/17, the defendants and others, now at large, sometime in 2010 conspired among themselves with an intent to defraud, fraudulently received the sum of N120 million from one Lanre Obisesan, under the pretence of selling a land to him. The defendants were also alleged to have falsely presented themselves to Lanre Obisesan of having the right, power and authority to sell the landed property located at 5c, Michael Ogun Street, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, which belonged to Chief Idowu Musiliu Balogun. They were also alleged to have forged a document titled, “Special Resolution of Musbal Nigeria Limited,” “Form CAC 7” and a document titled, “Consent Letter by Ayoola Fakos.” The offences according to the prosecutor, Mr. E. A. Jackson, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), are contrary to and punishable under sections 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences Act. No. 14, 2006; and section 2(c) of the Miscellaneous offences Act Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. But, their arraignment could not take place following the applications filed by counsel to the defendants, O. Emawobia. The application challenged the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the charge. The Counsel urged the court to quash the charge against their clients and explained that the same charge has been filed against the defendants at a Lagos Magistrate’s Court. He stated further that by filing the same charge at the Federal High Court is nothing but “forum shopping.”]]>