In a significant development in the ongoing £1 million fraud trial, Justice R.A. Osodi of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos State overruled the objection raised by the defence counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN.
The court admitted a flash drive containing a video confession of the sixth defendant as evidence in the ongoing trial.
The case involves seven defendants, including Morufu Adewale (alias Gbegunleri Adelana), Abayomi Alaka (alias Dauda Usman Alashe).
Others include, Omitogun Ajayi, and Ajisegiri Abiodun, who are facing trial for allegedly obtaining £1 million from Dr. and Dr. (Mrs) Lateef Oladimeji Bello under false pretenses.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the defendants in February 2022.
The arraignment was on charges related to obtaining money by false pretenses and conspiracy to defraud.
These acts in violates the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
The case was initially before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, but following her retirement, it was reassigned to Justice Osodi.
On December 2022, all seven defendants were re-arraigned on amended charges.
The defendants allegedly duped their victims by promising to conduct spiritual cleansing rituals in exchange for the money.
They gave the false assurance that the sum (£1million) would be refunded within a week.
At the September 23, 2024, hearing, the prosecution presented the testimony of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Giwa Wasiu, who recounted how the sixth defendant was arrested in the Ikorodu area of Lagos.
Wasiu revealed that the defendant confessed in a video to defrauding Mrs Bello of N675 million.
The prosecution sought to admit the video as evidence through a flash drive, but the defense objected.
On October 11, 2024, Justice Osodi ruled in favor of the prosecution and admitted the flash drive as Exhibit E.
The court also allowed the video of the confessional statement to be played in open court.
The trial was adjourned to December 18 and 19, 2024, for continuation.
However, the defendants continue to plead not guilty to the charges.
EFCC’s efforts to secure the arrest of additional suspects and ensure justice for the victims remain ongoing.
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