EFCC Arraigns Toyin Shokunbi For N42.9m Fraud

SAN FRANCISCO, March 14, (THEWILL) - The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Thursday arraigned one Toyin Shokunbi before Justice Adebukola Banjoko of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Gudu, Abuja on an eight count charge bordering on intent to defraud and obtaining money by false pretence.

The accused person allegedly collected a total sum of N42.9million (Forty-Two point Nine Million Naira) from Mr Gilbert Otaigbe between October 2010 and March 2011, under the pretext he was going to help him purchase a government house.

Count seven of the charge reads: "That you Toyin Shokunbi , sometimes between October 2010 and March 2011 in Abuja within the Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory with intent to defraud obtained the sum of N20,500,000.00 (Twenty Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only from one Mr Gilbert Otaigbe under the pretence that you were in a position to help him purchase a Government house 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 Fraud Related Offences acts of 2006”.

She pleaded not guilty to the eight charges, prompting the prosecution counsel, Azegbeobor Ifeyinwa, to ask for a trial date.

But defence counsel, Daniel Arome Momoh made an oral application for bail which was granted by Justice Banjoko. Consequently, the accused was admitted to bail in the sum of N20m (Twenty Million Naira) and two sureties in like sum.

The case has been adjourned to April 17 and 18, 2013 for definite hearing.