Two workers of a limited liability company Ayodeji Akanbi and Olanrewaju Owodunni Oreofe, have been arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos alongside their company, Somarem Concept allegedly formed to defraud their former employer, Sarabel Logistics and Security Limited to the tune of N50million
In a four count charge filed before the court by the Police prosecuting counsel, Barrister Chukwu Agwu, from the Legal/Prosecution section of Police Special Fraud Unit, Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, it was stated that the two defendants while in the employment of Sarabel Logistics & Security Limited and others at large, carrying on business in the name and style of Somarem Concept between January 2016 and August 2022 in Lagos, conspired to commit offence by obtaining by false pretences and fraudulent misrepresentation a total sum of N50million.
Barrister Agwu further alleged that the defendants committed the offence by forging sales invoices and letter head papers of Sarabel Logistics and Security Limited
The defendants pleaded not guilty. Thereafter, the prosecutor urged the court to fix a date for trial. However, their counsel told the court that there is pending application for bail on behalf of the defendants.
Consequently, the presiding Judge, Nicholas Oweibo adjourned till October 31, 2022 for their bail application to be argued.
The four-count charge as filed before the court by the Police prosecuting counsel:
COUNT 1
That you Ayodeji Akanbi ‘M’, Olarewaju Owodunni Oreofe
‘M’ while in the employment of Sarabel Logistics & Security Limited and others now at large, carrying on business in the name and style of ‘Somarem Concept’ from the months of January 2016 through August, 2022 in Lagos, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court did conspire amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit: Obtaining by false pretences through fraudulent misrepresentation a total sum of more than N50,000,000.00 (Fifty
Million Naira), Forgery, Uttering and fraudulent diversions via your bank account and thereby committed an offence contrary to punishable under Section 1 (a), (c) and 22 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition), Act,2022.
COUNT 2:
That you Ayodeji Akanbi ‘M’, Olarewaju Owodunni Oreofe ‘M’ while in the employment of Sarabel Logistics & Security and others now at large, carrying on business in the name and style of ‘Somarem Concept’ from January 2016 through August 2022 in Lagos, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud did by fraudulent misrepresentation acquire and retain N50,000,000.00(Fifty Million Naira), property of Sarabel Logistics & Security Limited represented by Kelechi Oriakwata ‘M’ through your Bank Plc account knowing same to be part of proceeds of unlawful act and under the guise that the funds were for Sarabel Logistics And Security Limited, a representation you know to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 19 (2)(b) and (d) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition), Act,2022 but punishable under Section 19 (3),(4) and (5) of the same Act.
COUNT 3:
That you Ayodeji Akanbi ‘M’, Olanrewoju Owodunni Oreofe ‘M’ while in the employment of Sarabel Logistics & Security Services and others now at large, carrying on business in the name and style of Somarem Concept, from January 2016 through August 2022 in Lagos, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud did knowingly forge Sales invoices and Letter head papers of Sarabel Logistics & Security Limited represented by Kelechi Obiakwata ‘M’ on behalf of Somarem Concept for services rendered by Sarabel Logistics & Security Limited with intent that they may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of Sarabel Logistics & Security Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2 (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004.
COUNT 4:
That you Ayodeji Akanbi ‘M’, Olanrewaju Owodunni Oreofe ‘M’ while in the employment of Sarabel Logistics & Security Services and others now at large, carrying on business in the name and style of Somarem Concept, from January 2016 through August, 2022 in Lagos, Lagos State within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, with intent to defraud did knowingly utter Sales invoices, Letter head papers and other documents of Sarabel Logistics & Security Limited represented by Kelechi Obiakwata ‘M’ on behalf of Somarem Concept for services rendered by Sarabel Logistics & Security Limited with intent that they may in any way be used or acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of Sarabel Logistics & Security Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 2 (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, 2004