CRIMES COMMISSION RE-ARRAIGNS AMERICAN FOR ALLEGED $565,000 VISA FRAUD

The accused was alleged to have defrauded Godson Echejue, Abubakar Umar and Olukayode Sodimu of their money promising them that he would invest this under the Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment-Based Fifth Preference (EB-5).

Penpushing further reports that, the American and his companies were previously arraigned on June 22, 2017, before another judge, Josephine Oyefeso, on a 16-count charge but was granted bail in the sum of $25,000.

The accused was also arraigned separately before the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in Maitama on April 18, 2016, for defrauding two Nigerians Ejikeme Mgbemena and Frank Egbon of $2.3m after he promised to provide American Green Card for members of their families below 18 years

Penpushing also reports that, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said it charged Ramirez before a judge, Mojisola Dada, on an amended 12-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence, adding that his case file was later transferred while he was subsequently re-arraigned before Judge Dada.

The anti-graft ,said Ramirez’s  offences contravene Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006,while his counsel, Ademola Adefolaju, urged the court to allow his client continue with the bail terms earlier granted to him by Judge Oyefeso.

Penpushing reports that, the judge asked the defendant if he had complied with the bail terms, and the accused counsel confirmed that his client had fully complied and had been going to the commission’s office as directed by the court.

The judge ruled, “having not breached the bail terms granted by my brother judge, the defendant is hereby allowed to continue with the terms’, and the  matter was adjourned till October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for trial.