EFCC Arraigns Couple For N2.7bn Fraud In Lagos

Ikeja, Lagos State– The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Command, has brought charges against a couple, Oriyomi Idowu and Ruth Idowu, before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos.

Oriyomi Idowu and Ruth Idowu are facing allegations related to financial impropriety, and the charges were read out to them during the court proceedings. The specifics of the charges have not been made public as the case is still in its early stages.

The EFCC, in a statement, highlighted that the arraignment is a result of a thorough investigation into the financial activities of the accused couple. The commission has been working diligently to uncover and prosecute individuals involved in various forms of economic and financial crimes, contributing to the broader efforts to promote transparency and accountability in Nigeria.

Justice Mojisola Dada has set a date for the commencement of the trial, during which the prosecution and defense will present their respective cases. The court proceedings are expected to shed light on the details of the alleged financial crimes and determine the culpability of the accused individuals.

The EFCC has consistently emphasized its commitment to combating corruption and financial crimes, urging the public to collaborate by providing relevant information. The arraignment of Oriyomi Idowu and Ruth Idowu underscores the agency’s determination to hold individuals accountable for financial wrongdoing, regardless of their social status or affiliations.

As the legal process unfolds, all eyes are on the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, awaiting further developments in the case against the accused couple. The trial serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s legal and judicial systems to address financial crimes and promote a culture of accountability in Nigeria.

They were arraigned on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, on 20 counts bordering on obtaining money by false pretences, money laundering, stealing, retention of stolen property, and forgery to the tune of N2.7bn,

According to the commission, the suspects were arraigned alongside Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Limited, Samee Idowu Company Limited and Farmex Integrated Companies Limited, which all belong to Ruth Idowu.

One of the counts reads, “Ruth Sameeha Idowu, aka Loiry Ventures, Oriyomi Kabeer Idowu, aka Yocli Ventures, Food Commodity Processing Enterprise, Bonway Food Processing Company Ltd, Samee Idowu Company Limited, Farmex Integrated Companies Limited, sometime in 2023 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, converted the sum of N10,000,000 to purchase a GLK Benz, purchase sum derived from converting the sum of N500,000,000 belonging to Creditpro Business Support Services with the aim of disguising the illegal origin of the funds.”

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when they were read to them.

In view of their pleas, prosecution counsel, Bilikisu Buhari, prayed the court for a trial date and the remand of the defendants at a Correctional Facility.

Counsel for the first defendant, G. Onwubuya, informed the court of the bail application of his client, which had yet to be served on the prosecution.

He prayed the court to remand the defendants in the EFCC custody and also sought a short adjournment for the hearing and determination of the bail application.

The Judge held that there was no bail application before the court for the second defendant, whose counsel, J.J. Ogunyemi, had yet to file.

Consequently, Justice Dada adjourned the matter till December 15, 2023 and ordered that the defendants be remanded at the Correctional Centre “pending hearing and determination of their bail applications.”