Some suspected fraudsters have allegedly defrauded a United States-based Nigerian businessman, James Okolo, of N33m. A friend of his was alleged to have introduced him to Ogbonyomi Taiye, who claimed to be a licensed oil dealer in the country.
Our correspondent gathered that after the duo signed a Memorandum of Understanding on February 2, 2018, Okolo paid $80,000 (N28.8m) to Taiye for crude oil.
The money was said to be part payment for shipment of two million barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil, as the parties agreed that an additional $40,000 would be paid upon a successful delivery of the product. However, the vessel purportedly conveying the oil was allegedly diverted to India.
Okolo, who spoke to our correspondent, said he petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, over the case.
The victim lamented that efforts to recover his funds had been abortive.
A police source said Uzoma was the first to be arrested and arraigned, adding that Taiye was arrested in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on July 13, 2018.
It was gathered that after the arrest of Taiye, another businessman, Dr Godknows Itamunaola, surfaced at the SCIID and allegedly said the suspect had equally defrauded him.
“In the course of investigation, it was discovered that the suspect is a serial fraudster. On June 23, he defrauded one Dr Godknows Itamunaola of the sum of N1.3m,” the source added.
The Kogi State indigene was subsequently arraigned before an Ebute-Meta Magistrates’ Court on two separate charges of fraud.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and elected summary trial.
The magistrate, A.O. Komolafe, admitted him to bail in the sum of N100,000 with two sureties each in like sum.
The case was adjourned till September 17, 2018.
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