A Lagos State High Court, in Ikeja, today heard how an HND graduate from Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, in Edo State, defrauded a foreigner of $267,000 through internet love scam.
Thirty-seven-year-old Akintunde Vincent Abiodun was brought before Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on amended charge of forgery and obtaining money by false pretence.
He allegedly defrauded a woman identified as D. Bonnici of $267,000, by claiming to be Christopher Williams from United Kingdom.
According to the complainant, she met Akintunde on a dating site on the internet and allegedly fell in love with him. Then, he started collecting money from her after he claimed he was in possession of gemstone worth $18,050,000, which he purportedly inherited from his father.
She said that Akintunde had hoodwinked her into believing that he was coming to New Zealand to settle down with her.
The money she sent to the suspect was allegedly received in Malaysia and Nigeria by persons bearing Norisha, Jalan Klan, and Mohammed Haizam Bin Fauzin. All of them claimed to be friends of Akintunde.
When the 14 counts were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.
In view of the plea, the prosecuting counsel, Sesan Ola prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody and also for a trial date to be given.
Counsel to the defendant, O.P. Daramola however prayed the court to grant the defendant bail.
But the prosecution opposed the bail application on the grounds that the defendant had attempted to travel to the United States while on administrative bail and was similarly denied a Canadian visa
Justice Ipaye consequently dismissed the bail application while ordering the defendant to be remanded in Kirikiri prison custody.
The matter was adjourned to March 7 and 8, 2017 for trial.
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