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… Arraigns Suspected Internet fraudster Akunomah over N425m fraud
The Kaduna Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will soon arraign the duo of Michael Yusuf Michael and Martha Daniel, promoters of MYM123CARE, for allegedly obtaining money by false pretence.
The suspects’ arrest followed a petition alleging that on the pretext of providing aid to the needy, the duo solicited for funds from the general public through the Foundation but converted the proceeds to personal use.
A statement issued by EFCC’s spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, said investigation revealed that on 22nd March, 2021, Yusuf Michael posted a video of a woman with breast cancer and solicited for donation from public-spirited individuals who responded by donating money into MYM123CARE’s account domicile in a first generation bank.
The commission said the account which was in the red, had by March 26, 2021 recorded a credit balance of N21, 515,962.75k.
“The woman for whom the fund was supposedly raised later died in the hospital.
“The suspect upon receiving the monies, went on a spending spree, transferring various sums to third-parties who used the monies to purchase various properties ranging from real estate, automobiles and electronic equipment.
In a related development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Port Harcourt Zonal Command, has arraigned a suspected internet fraudster, Samuel Akunomah before Justice A.T.Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He was arraigned on August 6, 2021, on 45-counts bordering on internet fraud, impersonation and obtaining money under the pretence to the tune of Four Hundred and Twenty- Five Million Naira only (N 425,000, 000).
One of the counts reads: “That you Samuel Akunomah, Omena Precious Okeren (still at large) and Shittu Adebayo (still at Large) Austin Chibike (still at Large) Charemon Golden (still at large) sometime in 2020, at Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this Honorable Court, directly took possession of the sum of Forty-One Million Naira (N 41,000,000.00) in First Monument Bank Account No. 4915799016 in the name of Skillz Nigeria Enterprises, money which to your knowledge formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (1)(2) (d) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended ) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
Another count reads: “That you Samuel Akunomah, Omena Precious Okeren (still at large) and Shittu Adebayo (still at large) Austin Chibike (still at large) Charemon Golden (still at large) sometime in 2020, at Port Harcourt, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, directly took possession of the sum of Thirty-Four Million Naira (N 34,000,000.00) in First Monument Bank Account No. 4915799016 in the name of Skillz Nigeria Enterprises, money which to your knowledge formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (1)(2) (d) of the Money Laundering ( Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended ) and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”
The prosecution counsel, S.M.H. Ibekute prayed the court to remand the defendant in Port Harcourt’s Correctional Centre pending the commencement of trial.
However, defence counsel, Daninagbo Davies opposed the prayer of the prosecution and sued for his bail.
Justice Mohammed reserved a ruling on the bail application but ordered his remand in Port Harcourt Correctional Centre pending the determination of his application.
Earlier in June, he was arrested by the EFCC at Royal Palm Estate, Peter Odili Road, Port Harcourt following some established intelligence linking him with internet fraud and other internet-related activities.
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