By Tayo Joseph, Lagos
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos zonal office, on Monday, October 16, 2017, arraigned the duo of Epebinu Omoniyi, Managing Director, Pure Pack Oil Nigeria Limited, and Adekanbi Adedayo, Managing Director, First Hallmark Energy Limited, before Justice S. S. Ogunsanya of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on an 8-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and forgery to the tune of N3,000,000(Three Million Naira).
The duo, among other alleged offences, obtained the sum of N3m( Three Million Naira) from one Ayo Faleti on the pretext that they had secured a contract from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, to supply crude oil from Nigeria to the United States of America, USA, and that the sum represented one percent of the contract performance bond.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.
In view of their plea, the prosecution counsel, M. S. Owede, asked the court for a trial date and to remand the accused in prison.
However, counsel to the first defendant, N. D. Momoh, told the court that he needed time to file a bail application on behalf of his client.
Counsel to the second defendant, J. Opara, told the court about a pending application for bail on behalf of his client.
Owede, however, opposed the bail applications and pleaded with the court for accelerated hearing, adding that “My Lord, if the accused will be granted bail, I urge you to impose very strong conditions on him.”
Consequently, Justice Ogunsanya granted the second defendant bail in the sum of N1m (One Million Naira) with two sureties in like sum.
One of the sureties must be a blood relation to the accused and must have landed property in Lagos.
The sureties must be gainfully employed and be resident in Lagos.
The judge ordered the first defendant to be remanded in Kirikiri Maximum Security prison, pending the hearing of his bail application.
The case was adjourned to December 13, 2017 for commencement of trial.
