The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC on Wednesday, arraigned Ibrahim Idris before Justice J. Oriji of the FCT High Court, Abuja on a two count charge of alleged conspiracy and obtaining N70million by false pretence.
Idris allegedly obtained the sum from his victim by deceiving him into believing that the money was a requirement to establish his capacity to execute a contract of auctioning assets forfeited to the Federal Government.
Count one of the charge against Idris reads in part, “That you Idris Ibrahim on or about December 11, 2020, in Abuja, with the intent to defraud obtained the sum of N50million from Fatai Ibrahim by falsely representing to him that the money was a requirement to show capacity to execute a contract of auctioning assets forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, a representation which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”
Count two reads in part, “That you Idris Ibrahim on or about December 29, 2020, in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, with intent to defraud and obtained the sum of N20million from Fatai Ibrahim by falsely representing to him that the money was a requirement to show capacity to execute a contract of auctioning assets forfeited to the Federal Government of Nigeria, a representation which you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (3) (a) and punishment under section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.”
But when the charge was read to Idris, he “pleaded not guilty” to the offence.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting lawyer, A. M Ocholi, urged the court to remand the defendant in custody and fix a date for trial to commence.
But the defence lawyer, A.O Alaga, informed the court of a pending application for the bail of his client and urged the court to grant him temporary freedom.
But the prosecuting lawyer opposed the application on the grounds that the defendant was a flight risk.
Justice Oriji , however, granted bail to Idris in the sum of N30million only and two sureties in like sum. The judge added that one of the sureties must have a landed property in Abuja, with the original Certificate of Occupancy confirmed by the court.
The judge further stated that the second surety must be a civil servant of Grade Level 12 or above, which office address shall be confirmed by the court., adding that Idris must not travel outside Nigeria without the permission of the court.
The court added that the date for the commencement of trial will be communicated to the parties as soon as the court resumes from vacation.
