An Ikeja Special Offences Court on Monday remanded two business people, Jennifer Ezeagu and Goodnews Amah, at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre for allegedly obtaining the sum of N56,350,000 under the pretence of supplying medical supplements.
Justice Rahman Oshodi remanded them after they took their plea.
The defendants are facing five counts bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence, stealing and forgery preferred against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The EFCC’s prosecution counsel, Sulieman Sulieman, told the court that the defendants and one Nigel Vitalis, now at large, conspired to commit the alleged offences
He said the incident took place between May 11 and June 13, 2024, in Lagos.
Sulieman told the court that the defendants allegedly obtained the sum of N56,350,000, from one Patience Abel under the false pretence of investment in supplement business and supply from a hospital in Uganda, a representation they knew to be false.
The prosecutor said Ezeagu and Amah conspired amongst themselves and stole the sum of N56,350,000 from the complainant.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges against them.
Given their arraignment, the prosecutor asked the court to remand the defendants and also asked for a trial date.
Sulieman told the court that he intended to call 12 witnesses regarding the case and urged the court to remand the defendants in custody.
But the defence counsel to the first defendant, Franker Umeri, moved a bail application, praying the court to grant the first defendant bail adding that she would always be available to attend court for her trial.
The second defendant’s counsel, A.U . Enwerem, also moved the bail application for his client, urging the court to grant Amah bail saying that he would also be available for his trial.
After listening to the counsel, Justice Oshodi asked the first defendant if she had a travelling passport.
Ezeagu replied, “It has expired, My Lord.”
Consequently, Justice Oshodi ordered that the first defendant be remanded at the Kirirkiri female correctional centre, while he remanded the second defendant, Goodnews Amah, at the male correctional centre pending their trial.
“I remand the first defendant, Jennifer Ezeagu, at the female correctional centre and Goodnews Imah at the male correctional centre pending their trial date,” he said.
The judge then adjourned the case till February 12 and 14, 2025, for ruling on the bail application and the commencement of trial.