Alleged N105m Fraud: Aliqea Group UAE Helmsman, Dr Lamido, Remanded In Kirikiri

An Ikeja Special Offences Court, presided over by Justice Olubusola Okunuga, on Monday, directed that the Group Managing Director (GMD) of Aliqea Group UAE, Dr Muhammad Bashir Shamsudeen Lamido, be remanded at the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre over alleged involvement in fraud to the tune of N105m.

The judge took the decision after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned the GMD on a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and money laundering alongside his firm, contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria, and to which he pleaded not guilty to.

In his argument before the judge, counsel for the defence, Peter Olomola, prayed to Justice Okunuga to allow Lamido to remain in the custody of the EFCC after the prosecution requested a trial date.

“We have responded to the bail options,” Olomola stated.

However, the counsel for the prosecution, R. A. Abdulrasheed, objected to the defendant’s bail application and informed the court of a counter-affidavit opposing the grounds of bail.

He prayed to Justice Okunuga to decline the bail application, just as he argued that the defendant may not appear in court again not minding the subject of the health of the defendant as stated by the prosecution.

But the defence counsel, Ogbeche, insisted that the court should consider his written address, adding that the defendant has a right to bail.

Ogbeche equally assured that the GMD will show up for trial, as he has been receiving medical care at the EFCC facility and under the eye of the commission.

The matter has been adjourned until December 13, 2023, to fix the date for the trial to commence.

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