N1.4bn BoI Loan Fraud: EFCC amend charge against suspects

...Mobitel boss, Salako now prosecution witness


The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC has amended a N1.4billion fraud charge earlier brought against the Chief Executive Officer of  Mobitel Nigeria, Johnson Salako and two other persons, Enoche Ugbabe and Enebeli Theophilus.

The matter which was initial filed before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye in 2016 had remain unattended to untill earlier this year when the commission decision to amend and refile the charge

In the amended charge now before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja,  Salako is now listed as a prosecution witness in the trial while Enoche and Enebeli are now name as 1- 2 defendants.

During the court proceedings on Monday, the trial could not go on because Enoche was said to be Ill and unable to appear before the court.

EFCC lawyer,  Mr Ogaji also hinted the court that counsel in charge of the matter was also not available.

Counsel to Enebeli, Mr U.C Araroye then requested for an adjournment to allow his client get well and for the EFCC to properly assigned the matter to a counsel.

The matter was subsequently adjourned till February 1, 2021 for arraignment.

In the fresh charge, the EFCC alleged that the duo diverted the sum of N1.4bn which they collected from the Bank of Industry. The commission also alleged that the two men collected the money under the guise of investors.

They were charged with five counts bordering on felony, stealing and forgery, contrary to sections 467 and 516 of the Criminal Code Law of Lagos State.

The EFCC, said in one of the charges that the accused “forged a Certificate of Occupancy of Lands Registry in Lagos State, which you pledged as security to obtain the facility.”

EFCC also alleged that the accused forged two title deeds to obtain the loan from BOI under false pretence that they were investing it in a project.