A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Wednesday ordered that a self-acclaimed Oil Marketer, Benson Royal Enyinnah, who was brought before the court over an allegation of fraud to the tune of N87, 557, 600 million, be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).
The judge further directed that Enyinnah should remain in custody until August 29, when his bail application would be heard.
Justice Aluko decided after the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge slammed against him by the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos.
In the charge designated FHC/L/451c/22, the defendant alongside his companies and wife, Nneka Glory Benson, said to be at large, are being accused of involvement in conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and fraud.
The companies being charged together with the defendant are Gloroy Energy Company Limited; Petroyal Energy Company Limited and Glonnek Energy Resources.
In the course of the court hearing over the matter, the lawyer representing the police, Chukwu Agwu, informed the judge that the defendant, his wife, Nneka Glory Benson and the companies, between 2021 and May 2022, conspired among themselves to commit the offences, under the false pretence of supplying the fraud victims petroleum products.
Among those allegedly defrauded by the defendant includes Obimma Benedicta Chinazor; ‘F’, Chioma Ifeanyichukwu ‘F’, Vivian Ifeoma Ndukwu, ’F’, Chidiebere A. Okoli, ‘F’ and Greenland Energy Limited.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant, his wife, and companies fraudulently obtained the sum of N27, 477, 600 million from Obimma Benedicta Chinazor; N15. 5 million from Chioma Ifeanyichukwu; N28,980 million from Vivian Ifeoma Ndukwu; N15. 6 million from Chidiebere A. Okoli and N20.850 million from Greenland Energy.
The police’ lawyer equally told the judge that the alleged offences offend Sections 8 (a) and 1(1)(a), (b) and (c); of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and are punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.
But the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge, which prompted Agwu to ask the court for a trial date.
Agwu also begged Justice Aluko to remand Enyinnah in the NCoS’ custody until the determination of the charges against him.
The prosecutor further intimated to the judge that the defendant’s counsel had just served him with a bail application while in court and that he needed time to peruse the application and file a counter.
In responding, Enyinnah’s lawyer, Benson Ndakara pleaded with the judge to take his client’s bail application, having been served on the prosecutor, adding that the court should allow his client to remain in the prosecution’s custody pending the hearing and determination of his bail application, due to his health status.
In his ruling, Justice Aluko directed that the defendant be remanded in the NCoS’ custody until August 29, when his bail application will be heard.
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