The Federal High Court sitting Ibadan, Oyo State Capital has sentenced a couple,Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick and Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle, to 40 years imprisonment each over N53million fraud
Penpushing reports that the court found them guilty on all four counts of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC),
The agency said the couple, in a classic advance fee fraud scheme, fleeced one Dunni Olateru Olagbegi in cash and bank transfer through a spiritual cleansing gambit in order to avoid calamitous consequence of mysterious sudden death having heard conversation by a syndicate about a Ghana- Must –Go bag stuffed with United States Dollar bills in the boot of a car.
Penpushing reports that, Head of Media and Publicity of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) Wilson Uwujaren said the victim was also tricked into bringing funds to cleanse supposed USD bliss
The statement said victim had sometimes in May 2013, boarded a taxi cab with three other passengers who, unknown to her, were members of a syndicate of fraudsters,adding that as soon as she entered the vehicle, she heard the three other supposed passengers arguing about a Ghana-Must-Go bag filled with US Dollars in the boot of the car.
Penpushing also reports that, that, the agency said, moments later, one of the syndicate member told her that she must be cleansed to avert sudden and mysterious death having heard their discussion.
The victim was taken to an unknown destination, where she subsequently started giving the defendants, and the other members of the syndicate (at large) various sums in cash and bank payment totaling N53, 713, 260.00 to buy instruments for the cleansing of United States Dollar notes, which she allegedly sourced from the sale of her properties in both Ibadan and Lagos.
Penpushing reports that, the commission said in the course of investigation, it was discovered that over N9million was paid into the second defendant, Tinuola Idayat Oyegunle’s account domicile in one of the third generation banks; apart from other funds traced to the first defendant, Ebiesuwa Abayomi Fredrick’s account.
The agency added that, it was also discovered that the first defendant built Victoria East Park Hotel and Suite located at Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Lagos State from the proceeds of the crime.
The judge, Justice Joyce Abdulkarim in his judgment found the couple guilty of the four-count charge and sentenced both of them to 10 years imprisonment on each of the four counts.
Penpushing further reports that, while Ebiesuwa’s prison term takes effect from June 19, 2017 when he was arrested, Tinuola’s time in the Custodial Centre will start counting from May 26, 2017 when she was arrested.
The Judge also ordered that Victoria East Park Hotel and Suite, “be sold and the proceed, if not up to N53, 713, 260.00 be returned to the victim in the case and if it exceeds, the balance be paid into the Federal Government’s account”.
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