BENJAMIN OMOIKE
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo has remanded in prison custody a fake Army General, Bolarinwa Oluwasegun Abiodun, who was docked on Monday at the Special Offences Court in Lagos.
The defendant was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on a 13-count charge, alleging that the defendant falsely represented himself as a General in the Nigerian Army, and obtained the sum of N266,500,000 from Kodef Clearing Resources Limited.
He was said to have carried out the acts under the pretence that the sum represented part of the amount expended to “press and process” his appointment by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army.
But he pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Count one of the charge reads,”Bolarinwa Oluwasegun Abiodun between 17th August, 2017 and 12th December, 2018 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court with intent to defraud and whilst holding yourself out as a General in the Nigerian Army obtained the sum of N 23,300,000 from Kodef Clearing Resources Limited, under the pretence that the sum represented part of the amount expended to “press and process” your incoming appointment by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army, which pretence you knew to be false.”
Part of the charge also reads, “Bolarinwa Oluwasegun Abiodun sometime in April, 2018, in Lagos within the Jurisdiction of this Honorable Court had in your possession a document containing false pretense titled: letter of Recommendation purportedly signed by Chief Olusegun Obasanjo recommended one Adebayo Rasaq Adebola with recruitment No 77RRI/OG/S56/0032555 and Adeogun Emmanuel Adesola with recruitment No: 77RRI/OG/352/0123751 for employment into the Nigeria Army, which document you knew to be false.”
Upon his not guilty plea, the EFCC Counsel, Abbas Omeiza Muhammed Esq., urged the court to remand him.
But the defence counsel Kayode Lawal argued otherwise at the proceeding, informing the court of summon for bail.
However, the EFCC noted that,”We were only served on and we need time.”
The defence counsel Lawal, informed the court that the defendant has been in the commission’s detention since 12th January, 2022 and was brought from there.
According to him, “We have made several attempt to make the defendant get administrative bail.
“We have also been told by the Commission to bring surety which we have complied with their term but to no avail.
“We will be praying the court for a short possible date.
“Because this is the only option for the defendant to salvage his fundamental and constituional right, Sir.”
The judge adjourned till April 14, 2022 for further hearing.
