Lagos businessman Lanre Smith remanded in prison over alleged $26,000 fraud

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday ordered the remand of a businessman Lanre Smith in the Nigerian Correctional Centre following his arraignment over alleged conspiracy and advance fee fraud involving sums of US$ 26,000 and N10,140,000.

The Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Ikoyi arraigned Mr Smith on a three-count charge before Justice Ibrahim Kala.

Lawyer Mike Enejere announced appearance for the prosecution, Akin Apara announced appearance for the defendant while A.A. Ebiason was holding watching brief for the nominal complainant.

According to the charges, Smith was alleged to have sometime in August 2016, conspired with others to commit an offence of advance fee fraud by conducting a financial transaction which involved proceeds of unlawful activity by deceiving one Lindy Drake into depositing sum of US$26,000 into a United States of America Well Fargo Account No 1788790317 with account name Wilok Limited, operated by Okwudili Okeke with intent to promote the carrying on of a specified unlawful activity.

The defendant was further alleged to have fraudulently obtained sum of N10,140,000 from Okwudili Okeke under the pretence that he had deposited a genuine sum of US$26,000 into his United States of America Well Fargo Account No 1788790317 with account name Wilok Limited, a pretence which he knew to be false.

Smith pleaded not guilty to the charges.

After listening to arguments by clthe counsels, Justice Kala ruled that the defendant should file a written bail application.

Kala adjourned the matter till Monday, February 5 and ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.