Two Lagos businessmen – Godwin Abaniwo 59, Micheal Ashimashiga 43, and their company Eden Group Farmers Multi-Purpose Coop Society Limited have been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos, for allegedly obtaining the sum of N11 million by false pretence.
According to a seven count charge filed before the court by Police Legal officer from the Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Barrister Henry Obiazi, the two men and Eden Group Farmers Multipurpose Coop Society Limited, sometimes in February 2021 by false pretense and with the intent to defraud obtained the sum of N11million from one Tairu Oladimeji ‘M’ under the guise of investing it in the Moringa farming that will yield monthly returns on investment and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Barrister Henry Obiazi, alleged further that, the defendants after obtaining the sum under false pretence from Tairu Oladimeji, issued five different cheques totaling N9,170,000.00 as part payment of money they fraudulently obtained from him but when the cheques were presented for payment within a reasonable time, were dishonored on the ground that there was no fund or insufficient funds were standing to their credit in the bank in which the cheque was drawn and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 1(1) of the Dishonored cheques (Offences) Act, Cap D11 LFN,2004.
It was further alleged that Ashimashiga and Abaniwo sometimes in April 2021 directly converted the sum of N11 million being proceed of crime of obtaining money by false pretence from Tairu Oladimeji and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 15(a)(ii) of the Money Laundering (prevention and provision) Act 2011.
Meanwhile, the presiding Judge, Abimbola Awogboro, after admitting the defendants to bail adjourned till 18th of January 2023 when their trial will commence.