3Brothers, Others Docked Over Alleged N3m Fraud

Three siblings, Vincent (29), Florence (23) and Emmanuel Ayewah (18), on Thursday appeared before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos, charged with an alleged N3 million fraud.

The brothers and their sister were arraigned alongside David Onwuwa (20), George Ehizibolo (44), Okonkwo Chikadibia (22) and Chinyere Awanah (18), before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.

The Ude reports that the accused persons are facing a 27-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing, forgery and impersonation.

The Ayewahs and Onwuwa are neighbours at Legico Extension Area of Victoria Island, while Chikadibia resides at Nigeria Air Force Camp, Victoria Island, while Ehizobolo and Awanah reside at Greenland Estate, Ajah, Lagos.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the accused persons had conspired and stolen the money belonging to Rose of Sharon Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation.

Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Oluwatoyin Owodunni, said the fraud was committed by the accused persons between 2010 and 2012.

Owodunni told the court that Vincent, who was an employee of the foundation, conspired with his co-accused persons to divert the funds meant for the beneficiaries of its empowerment scheme.

He said that the accused persons impersonated and forged cheque leaflets and withdrew monies meant for orphans and widows, in the care of the foundation.

The prosecutor said Vincent forged cheque leaflets of the foundation’s Stanbic IBTC bank account which were cashed by the accused persons, with fake identity cards.

He said the offences contravened Sections 44 (4), 309 and 467 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

The offences attract between seven and 20 years imprisonment, if the accused persons are found guilty.

All the accused persons, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The judge granted them bail in the sun of N250, 000 each, with two sureties in like sum.

Onigbanjo said any of them who failed to perfect the bail terms before July 17, would be remanded at Ikoyi Prisons.