By Milcah Tanimu
A Bureau De Change Operator known as Atoyebi Bamidele, alias Bam-Bam, was brought before the Federal High Court in Lagos on Tuesday, facing allegations of fraudulently obtaining N157 million from traders in Alaba Market through false pretenses.
Bamidele, who operates under the business name Prosocial International Limited, has been charged with three counts, including conspiracy, obtaining by false pretenses, and theft, as filed by the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.
The charges against him stem from a petition filed by the traders, represented by their counsel, Henry Mejulu.
During the arraignment, the police prosecuting counsel, S. O. Ayodele, informed the court that the defendant had conspired with others (who are currently at large) to commit the alleged offenses. The prosecution further stated that Bamidele fraudulently obtained the sum of N157,206,000 from the traders between December 2022 and January 2023, deceiving them into believing that he would assist them in acquiring the equivalent amount in United States dollars.
According to the prosecutor, the defendant received the funds from the trader’s representative, Mrs. Priscilla Oyiowo, through one Obinna Ozuah, but instead of fulfilling his promise, he diverted the money for personal use.
The charges brought against Bamidele are in violation of Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act; CAP A8 Vol 1, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, and are punishable under section 1(3), 383 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C 38, and 390(9) of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
In response to the defendant’s plea, the prosecutor requested that the court remand him in the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre until the case is determined.
However, the defendant’s lawyer, E. A. Alafin, informed the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client, which had been served on the prosecution. He urged the court to grant bail to the defendant on liberal terms.
The prosecution opposed the bail application, citing the need to review it and respond accordingly.
As a result, Justice Akintayo Aluko adjourned the case until October 5, 2023, for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until the adjourned date.
