Businessman
By Moji Eniola
Ikeja, Aug. 3, 2018 (NAN) A change of counsel has stalled the bail application of Charles Ihenetu, a businessman, charged with defrauding a business partner of N26 million at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Ihenetu, 41, a resident of House 4, Close 23, Satellite Town, Lagos, was arraigned on May 16 alongside his company, V-Choice International Company Nigeria Ltd.
He had plead not guilty to a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretences brought against him and his company by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Following the arraignment, Justice Mojisola Dada had ordered that the businessman be remanded in Ikoyi Prisons.
During Friday’s proceedings, however, Ihenetu’s new counsel, Mr M. O. Onah, informed the court that he wanted to apply for the bail of the businessman on the grounds of ill-health.
Ihenetu, assisted by a walking stick, was helped to the dock by a man.
After listening to Onah’s application, Justice Dada requested the defence counsel to provide a proof of service of the notice of change of counsel that was allegedly served on Mr Joseph Eziwenke, Ihenetu’s former lawyer.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Onah, who claimed Eziwenke was served with the notice, however, could not provide proof of service.
Following this development, Justice Dada adjourned the case until Sep. 27, subject to the summons for bail and valid proof of service of the notice.
According to Mrs Zainab Ettu, the EFCC prosecutor, Ihenetu and his company committed the offences with others now at large sometime in September 2015 in Lagos.
“Ihenetu and his company alongside Victor Ezinwoke, Nonso Anigbogu and one Romeo, now at large, with intent to defraud, obtained N19 million from Mr Osaduwa Amechi through Ihenetu’s company account no. 1011802106 domiciled at Zenith Bank.
“The money was received under the false pretense that it represented Amechi’s investment on crude oil on board a vessel called Kaveri Spirit that was bound for Ghana from Nigeria.
“The defendants, on another occasion, collected N7million from Amechi as investment in the fraudulent oil deal.
“Amechi paid the N7million via Ihenetu’s Guaranty Trust Bank account no.0011551703.
“There was no vessel conveying crude oil called Kaveri Spirit as claimed by the defendant,” Ettu said.
The offences contravened Sections 1(1) (3) and 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
The complainant (Amechi) has already testified in court while six other prosecution witnesses are scheduled to testify. (NAN)
MAE/OIF/DA
Edited by : Ifeyinwa Okonkwo/Dele Akinsola