Trial of Lagos couple accused of N2.7bn fraud stalled
The alleged N2.7bn fraud trial involving Ruth and Oriyomi Idowu has been delayed by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja. The trial was postponed until February 2, 2024. The trial consists of 20 counts that pertain to money laundering, stealing, keeping stolen property, and forging documents totaling N2,757,188,000. On Tuesday, November 28, 2023, the pair was charged by the Lagos Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). In relation to the case, Ruth Idowu’s companies Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Limited, Samee Idowu Company Limited, and Farmex Integrated Companies Limited were also charged..
According to count one, between March 31, 2022, and May 17, 2023, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, Ruth Sameeha Idowu, also known as Loiry Ventures, and Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu, also known as Yocli Ventures, along with organizations like Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd., Samee Idowu Company Limited, and Farmex Integrated Companies Limited, conspired to commit fraud. They used false pretenses to trick Creditpro Business Support Services Ltd into giving them N2,757,188,000.00 (two billion, seven hundred and fifty-seven million, one hundred and eighty-eight thousand naira only), claiming to have a valid Local Purchase Order (LPO) from multiple vendors..
Another charge accuses Ruth Sameeha Idowu, also known as Loiry Ventures, and Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu, also known as Yocli Ventures, of converting N10,000,000 to purchase a GLK Benz in 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, along with organizations like Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd., Samee Idowu Company Limited, and Farmex Integrated Companies Limited. In order to hide the monies’ illegal source, N500,000,000 that belonged to Creditpro Business Support Services was converted into this purchase amount.
A.O. Mohammed, the prosecution’s attorney, told the court during Wednesday’s hearings that his witness’s absence was inevitable.
“The witness had declared their intention to attend in court up until yesterday. But something unexpected happened yesterday. I apologize to the defense and the court,” he said.
Other judicial developments include: – A banker in the N10 billion money laundering trial reveals significant transfers from Kogi government’s accounts; – A fraudster involved in ATM scams obtains a 10-year jail sentence.
– The EFCC provides an explanation of its role in land disputes.
Babatunde Ogala, SAN, responded by telling the court he was ready for the trial.
But he also said, “It was only this morning, as I sat here, that I was notified of the witness’s absence and their unpreparedness to proceed; hence, we will be requesting an adjournment.”
Throughout the trial, the first defendant’s attorneys, James Alara and Babatunde Ogala, agreed that the prosecution was to blame for the hold-up.
A.O. Mohammed apologized, acknowledged the situation, and asked the court for a brief adjournment.
Judge Dada subsequently approved the adjournment, setting the case for a new date of February 2, 2024. On that date, the court case will recommence in order to address the latest developments and guarantee a just and well-organized trial.
