The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Ibadan Zonal Office, on Monday, May 13, 2019 arraigned the duo of Osho Olalekan Michael and Azeez Toba before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court 2, sitting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The defendants were arraigned separately on different charges.
According to the statement by EFCC, while Osho Michael was docked on a two-count charge of possession of false document and obtaining itunes gift cards under false pretense, Toba is to answer to a four-count charge of forgery, altering, possession of false document and obtaining the sum of €1000 (One Thousand Euros) under false pretense.
The journey to dock Osho Michael and Azeez Toba began on April 3, 2019, when officers of the Oyo State special security outfit, “Operation Burst,” arrested and handed them over to the Commission for further investigation.
The charges brought against Osho Michael contravene Section 6, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and Section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.
Toba was charged with offences contrary to Section 6, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, Section 1 (1) (a) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and Section 1 (2) (c) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap. M17, Laws of the Federation, 2004.
Both Osho Michael and Azeez Toba pleaded not guilty to the charges. In view of their plea, prosecution counsel, Abdulrasheed Suleman, applied for a trial date.
Counsel to the defendants, Tunde Lawal, however, informed the court that the second defendant, Toba, had applied to the prosecution for a plea bargain and had already paid back the money involved.
He thereafter prayed the court for a short adjournment to enable them perfect the plea bargain arrangement.