By Wahab Akinlade
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned a 22 year old woman, Bitcoin Operator, Miracle Esse Enodano, for N43.5 million fraud allegations before a Lagos Special Offences Court in Ikeja.
She was arraigned alongside a company, SGMX Resources Ltd, on an 8 count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, issuance of dud cheques, stealing amongst others.
EFCC accused the defendants of inducing the complainant on November 24, 2018, to pay the sum of N14.5million as an investment into Bitcoin mining server machines on the understanding that Bitcoin server can generate $1000 per day a profit of the total investment which she knew was false.
The defendants were also alleged that on November 25, 2018, with intent to defraud, induced a couple, Mr. and Mrs. Adebola Olagunju to pay the sum of N3million as Account Management Fee and Assurances for the safety of Segregated Trading Contract Agreement, under false pretence.
According to the EFCC Counsel, Ahmed Yerima, the offences committed contravened Sections 1 (1) (a) and 1(3) of the advanced fee fraud and other related offences Act No 14 of 2006, 1(1) of Dishonoured Cheques 2004 and Sections 278 (1) (2) and 285(1) of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.
She however denied the charges levelled against her.
Subsequently, Mr. Yerima, sought that the defendant be remanded in prison custody, but the defence counsel, Mrs. Abiodun Adepoju, objected, asking the judge to discountenance the request.
She argued that her client never at any time jumped administrative bail, and has been in EFCC custody.
Counsel to the defendant, Mrs. Adepoju, in her 12 paragraph affidavit on bail application dated July 15, prayed the court to grant her client bail on liberal terms.
In a counter affidavit dated July 22, the EFCC counsel objected to the defendant’s bail application.
He argued that the defendant was being charged with serious crime but that he will leave it at the discretion of the court.
Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, in her ruling granted the defendant N10 million bail with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Taiwo however ordered that the defendant should be remanded in Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the perfection of her bail conditions.
The case was adjourned till September 13 for trial.
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