Nigerian Arraigned For N88m Wire Fraud

The suspect, Amusa Abiodun Azeez

A man identified as Amusa Abiodun Azeez has been arraigned in court by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for his involvement in wire fraud.

Azeez faces charges bordering on possession of fraudulent documents and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct to the tune of N88,187,773.

The EFCC is prosecuting him before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja.

In one of the counts, Azeez, October 24, 2021 and August 20, 2022 in Lagos, retained the money in his First Bank account: 3085787943, despite being “proceeds of various internet and cyber-crimes”.

The suspect is accused of using his email, [email protected] linked to his mobile number 09064668567, to commit fraud by posing as an American soldier serving in Afghanistan.

Azeez, who claimed his name, was “John Wallace” pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when read to him.

Prosecuting counsel, S. O. Daji, asked for a trial date and prayed the Court to remand the defendant at a Correctional Centre.

“EFCC’s facility is overstretched”, Daji told the judge.

Defence counsel, O. Ajanaku, made an oral application for the bail; the prosecution objected.

Justice Taiwo adjourned until November 4, 2021 for hearing of the bail application and ordered the remand of Azeez in EFCC custody.