Student Scammers Get Trial Date for N16M Fraud

Five suspended university students who made about N16million through Internet scams will face trial on February 16, after receiving bail conditions today.
Twenty-one-year-old Fasakin Adeleke Paul aka Young Pablo Money and the four other members of the gang were accused of obtaining money with stolen identities through Western Union and Money Gram at a First Bank Plc branch in Akure, Ondo State.

They were arraigned before Justice Abdu-Dogo of the Federal High Court, Akure, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) last Friday, and were given bail conditions today.
They are facing a 53-count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretense, possession of fraudulent documents and forgery.
According to the ruling on the bail applications, Justice Dogo admitted the first to fifth defendants to bail in the sum of N5million each with one surety in like sum. Each surety must be a civil servant in the level of an Assistant Director either at a state or federal ministry. Each of the sureties shall deposit the original copy of their first appointment and last promotion letter, two recent passports, National Identity Card or International Passport. Each of the surety must be a Nigerian. The court registrar shall verify the address of the sureties.
The suspects who were suspended students of Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) and Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba (AAUA) respectively includes Fasakin Adeleke Paul, 21; Ogundile Ademola James Olasunkanmi, 23; Abudu Adeniyi Tayo (a.k.a) Kolawole Tajudeen, 20; Ifeobu Ugochukwu, 21, and Olusola Franklin Akusanmi, 21.
They pleaded not guilty, when the charges were read to them.
Concerning their plea, the prosecution counsel, Oluwatoyin Owodunni asked the court for a trial date and prayed that the accused be remanded in prison custody.
But, counsel to the first accused, A. C. Ajakaye informed the court that he had a pending application dated January 11, 2017, which has not been served on the prosecution. He prayed the court to allow him move the motion for bail.

Counsels to the suspects, Rotimi Olorunfemi, Kayode Akinwunmi, Toyese Owoade, and Adetunji Oso all aligned with the submission of Ajakaye and prayed the court to allow them move for the bail application of the second, third, fourth and the fifth accused persons.
One of the charges says: “Fasakin Adeleke Paul, Ogundile Ademola James Olasunkanmi, Abudu Adeniyi Tayo (a.k.a. Kolawole Tajudeen), Ifeobu Ugochukwu and Olusola Franklin Akusanmi on or about the 26th of May 2016 at Akure within the Akure Judicial Division of this honourable Court did conspired to obtain money by falsely pretending that you are one Adeleke Peter through Western Union and Money Gram at First Bank PLC, (FUTA) Akure Branch and thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.”
Another says: “Fasakin Adeleke Paul, Ogundile Ademola James Olasunkanmi, on or about the 6th of July 2016 at Akure within the Akure Judicial Division with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $1700 from Patricia Morales, by falsely pretending that you are one Adeleke Peter through Western Union and Money Gram at First Bank PLC, (FUTA) Akure Branch and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 1 (2) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”
Paul who went about with the name Tsunami Gang and Young Pablo Money alongside his co-travellers were arrested in July 2015, following a series of intelligence gathered by operatives over their fraudulent activities.
The Judge ordered that the defendants be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of their bail conditions. The case is adjourned till February 16, 2017 for trial.