EFCC charges businessman and company for stealing $60,334

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a businessman, Oladipo Jimoh and his company, Barma Energy Resource Limited, before a Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, for alleged $60,334 theft.…CONTINUE READING

Jimoh was arraigned on two-count charge bordering on stealing.The anti-graft alleged that the defendant and his company stole the sum from Vale Blue Limited.

The prosecution submitted that the defendant and his company, sometimes between October 11, 2022, and July 2023, allegedly converted the money, property of Vale Blue Limited to his personal use.

The prosecution said the offences contravened the provision of Sections 278 (1)(b)(2)(f) and 285 (1) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

After pleading not guilty to all the counts, the EFCC counsel, Mr Gabriel Akaogu asked for a trial date and that the defendant be remanded at the Correctional Centre.

Responding, the defendant’s counsel, Ms A. K. Akpabio, told the court that she has filed a bail application dated November 13, and same served on the prosecution.

In moving the bail application, Akpabio urged the court to grant her client bail in liberal terms .She pleaded that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody until the bail was perfected.

But the prosecutor urged for time limit in which the defendant could be taken to Correctional Centre. After listening to their submission, Justice Dada granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200 million with two sureties in like sum.

The judge ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed and each must have N100 million in their account or a valuable landed property. She said that the sureties must show evidence of three- year tax payment to the Lagos State government while the addresses of the sureties must be verified by the Court Registrar. The judge remanded the defendant in the correctional centre pending perfection of his bail.

“However, in view of no correctional officers in court today, due to security reasons, the defendant shall temporarily be remanded in EFCC custody,” Justice Dada said. The judge, subsequently, adjourned to February 12, 2024, for the commencement of trial.