The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned five men for allegedly purchasing forged bank notes.
The accused were brought before the Justice I.O Ijelu-led Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, the state capital on Thursday.
NIGERIACRIME learnt that the defendants are Mark Obisean, Olumide Mcintouch, Bolaji Bakare, Goodluck Bazunu and Josiah Ntekume (at large).
Part of the amended 11 charge against the accused reads, “Mark Obisean, Olumide Mcintouch, Bolaji Bakare, Goodluck Bazunu, and Josiah Ntekume (at large) sometime in 2018 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division, received and have in your possession forged United States dollar Travellers Cheque number GA908-981-564.”
Another count reads, “Mark Obisean, Olumide Mcintouch, Bolaji Bakare, Goodluck Bazunu, and Josiah Ntekume (at large) sometime in 2018 at Lagos within the Ikeja Judicial Division conspired to purchase, received, and have in your possession forged United States traveller’s cheques.”
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However, they denied the charges that border on purchasing forged bank notes contrary to Section 370 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, and conspiracy to purchase forged bank notes contrary to Section 410 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.
In his argument, the prosecuting counsel, N.K. Ukoha, urged the court to fix a trial date to create room to call witnesses and tender documents to proof the defendants’ guilt.
Counsel for the first defendant, Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) informed the court of the bail application filed on behalf of his client, arguing that his client does not constitute a flight risk.
The court, thereafter, granted the first defendant bail in the sum of N20 million with two sureties in like sum after his re-arraignment.
Counsel for the other defendants, however, had no formal bail applications before the court for the court to hear and rule on.
The court further held that the other defendants had no formal applications before the court and so were returned to the correctional facility.
Meanwhile, the case has been adjourned till April 3, 4 and 5, 2023 respectively for trial.