EFCC Arraigns Four Suspected Fraudsters for Internet Scam

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Monday August 25, 2014, arraigned Salau Adegoke (a.k.a Sharon Deras), Kazeem Lekan (a.k.a Williams Peter), Falade Opeyemi (a.k.a Brandon Harris) and Ewugbemi Olushola before Justice G.A Safari of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja, on separate charges bordering on possession of fraudulent documents.

Adegoke was arraigned on two count charge; Lekan six count, Opeyemi eight counts and Olushola three count charge.

All the counts bordered on possession of fraudulent documents containing false pretences contrary to section 6, 8(b) and 1(3) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

One of the charges against the accused persons read: “Salau Adegoke( a.k.a Sharon Deras) on or about the 17th day of September, 2013 in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division with intent to defraud had in your possession document containing false pretences titled "Your Glow Order 2803635" dated the 29th December, 2009 wherein you held yourself out as one Sharon Deras through your email address sqheritage@yahoo.com who recently made an order to the Customer Service Team glowservice@glow.com.

Another charge reads: "Falade Opeyemi( a.k.a Brandon Harris) on or about the 18th day of September, 2013 in Lagos within the Lagos Judicial Division with intent to defraud had in your possession document containing false pretences titled: " Concerning Your Resume Posted On Craigslist...."Get Back To Me Now" dated the 3rd day of March, 2011 wherein you held yourself out as a supplier of arts and craft with many clients in America and as such offered through your email address ope.yemi24@yahoo.com to be paying Hilary G. yug between $1000- $50,000 a week as your Personal Assistant”.

When the charges were read to the accused persons, they pleaded not guilty.

The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo therefore asked for trial dates and prayed the court to remand the suspects in prison custody.

But the defence counsel , Jones Omonna, prayed the court to admit all the accused persons to bail. He said he had filed applications for bail to that effect.

However, the Justice Safari adjourned the case to September 3, 2014 for hearing of bail applications and ordered the suspects to be remanded in Ikoyi prison.