The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) commenced its prosecution against Abayomi Kamaldeen Alaka, accused of fraudulent activities on Wednesday.
The EFCC, which arraigned Alaka before Justice Mojisola Dada at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos accused him of the unauthorized sale of forfeited property.
Alaka was arraigned on three counts related to stealing, retention, and dealing in the sale of property subject to interim forfeiture, in violation of Section 32(1) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act 2004.
He pleaded “not guilty” to the charges.
During the trial proceedings, the prosecution’s first witness, PW1 Odofin Adekunle Christopher, an EFCC investigator, detailed the case against Alaka.
Adekunle testified that the EFCC received a petition in May 2021 alleging conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretenses, and other charges against Alaka and two others.
The investigation, led by Adekunle’s team, uncovered multiple properties allegedly acquired through fraudulent means.
“In total disobedience to and having no regard for the rule of law, knowing fully well of an existing court order, Alaka proceeded to sell a newly renovated property located at No. 22, PSSDS Road, Magodo Phase 2, Lagos,” Adekunle stated.
He further revealed that Justice A. I. Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had ordered the interim forfeiture of five properties linked to Alaka pending investigation.
Despite this order, Alaka allegedly sold the Magodo property, prompting the EFCC to summon him for questioning.
The prosecution presented evidence including bank drafts, statements, and the court order, which were admitted as Exhibits P1 to P4 by Justice Dada, despite objections from the defense counsel.
The trial was adjourned until September 25 and October 3, 2024, for continuation.
The defense counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, had earlier requested bail for Alaka, emphasizing his client’s innocence in the matter.
In 2022, the EFCC, had arraigned the trio of Alaka Abayomi Kamaldeen (alias Awise), Taiwo Fatai Olamilekan Ahmed(alias Ifa) and Akinola Bukola Augustina, a suspected syndicate of juju fraudsters, before Justice Adeyemi Ajayi of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, sitting in Abuja, on two -count charges bordering on conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretense to the tune of N250,000,000.
The trio were arraigned on March 31, 2022 for obtaining the sum of N250 Million under a false pretence of offering local sacrifices to heal a petitioner of a protracted ailment.
One of the counts read: “That you, Alaka Abayomi kamaldeen( alias Awise), Taiwo Fatai Olamilekan Ahmed(alias Ifa) and Akinola Bukola Augustina sometimes between the year 2019 and the year 2020 in Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory did conspire to do an illegal act to wit; obtained the gross sum of N250,000,000.00( Two Hundred and Fifty Million Naira) only from one Bright Juliet under the false pretense that you possess supernatural powers and capable of healing her from an ailment at a shrine located at Asipa Town, Abeokuta, Ogun State, which you knew to be false, thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act”.
They entered into “not guilty” pleas when the charges were read to them.
Prosecution counsel, Benjamin Manji prayed the Court for an accelerated trial and remand the defendants pending the determination of their bail conditions.
Counsel for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, Oladimeji Ekengba and D.A Awuopila asked the court to consider the application for the bail of the defendants.
Justice Ajayi remanded the defendants in Keffi Correctional Centre, Nasarawa State and adjourned the matter till May 26, June 14 and 15, 2022 for trial.