The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Tuesday, February 26, 2019, arraigned one Otunba Kelvin Olumide, before Justice Silvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT High Court, sitting in Apo, on a three-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretense and forgery.
Olumide and one Grace Obinna (now at large), allegedly forged a document titled “Irrevocable Power of Attorney”, which they used to sell one Plot No. 1341 Guzape District, Zone AO9, on behalf of the real owner, to HRM Igwe Uchenna Okpalaunegbu IV. They allegedly received the sum of N12 million from their victim.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Otunba Kelvin Olumide, and one Grace Obinna (now at large) sometime in May 2010 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory with intent to defraud did obtain the sum of N12,000,000 (Twelve Million Naira) from HRM Igwe Uchenna Okpalaunegbu IV under the false pretence that you were authorized to sell one plot No. 1341 Guzape District, Zone AO9 on behalf of the beneficial owner Mr. Abe Ibraheem which pretence you knew to be false and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.”
Olumide pleaded “not guilty” to the counts.
In view of his plea, the prosecuting counsel, Yetunde Alabi, prayed the court for a trial date, “to enable the prosecution prove its case”.
Defence counsel, C.C. Ifeonu, informed the court of his client’s bail application, which according to him had been served on the prosecution.
While acknowledging the receipt of the bail application, Alabi raised no objections, noting that “the Investigating Officer informed me that the defendant has been complying with attendance.”
“The prosecution however, urges the Court to give terms that will ensure his attendance in court to face his trial,” Alabi said.
Justice Oriji, thereafter, granted him bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum, who must be resident in Abuja, one of whom must be a civil servant, not below Grade Level 12.
While adjourning to April 5, 2019 the trial judge ordered that he should be remanded in prison.