BDC operator remanded over alleged N320m fraud
A Self-acclaimed Bureau De Change operator, Janet Onyekachi Ngwaka, was on Wednesday remanded at the Force Criminal Investigation Department’s custody by a Federal High Court, in Lagos, for allegedly defrauding a company of the sum of N320m.
Justice Alexander Owoeye, ordered her remand, pending the hearing of her bail application.
The defendant is facing two counts bordering on conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence,preferred against her by the police.
Earlier during her arraignment the prosecutor Mr Morufu Animashaun of the Legal/prosecution Department of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, told the court that Ngwaka, committed the alleged offences sometimes in March, 2024 at FL505 Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos.
He alleged that sh conspired with one Chinedu Ngwaka and others who are now at large.
Animashaun told the court that the defendant and the others at large, fraudulently obtained the said money from Casco Electronics Company Limited and Mr. Tochukwu Unachukwu, under the pretence of providing them dollars equivalent.
According to the prosecutor the offences contravened sections 8 (a) and 1 (1) Of the Section 8 (A) of the advance fee frauds and other fraud related offences Act, 2006 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Same Act.
However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges when it was read to her.
Following the defendant’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand her at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending trial.
But efforts by her lawyer, E. T. Okoye, to orally move her bail application was opposed by the prosecutor, who urged the court to compel the counsel to file proper application before the court.
Consequently Justice Owoeye after listening to parties submissions ordered that the defendant be remanded at the ForceCID’s custody pending the hearing of the bail application.
The judge, adjourned the matter to February 19, 2025, for trial.
