The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Lagos Zonal office, on Friday, July 5, 2019, arraigned one Benjamin Opah before Justice Sherifat Solebo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a seven-count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent documents.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Benjamin Opah (aka General Richard Roland), on or about the 28th day of May, 2019, in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud had in your possession document titled “MY FORMAT,” where you represented yourself as General Richard Roland of the American Army, which representations you knew or ought to have known to be false.”
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charged when it was read to him.
In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, Emeka Akaogbu, asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody pending the determination of the case.
Counsel to the defendant, Eubena Amabo, informed the court that the defendant was willing to enter into a “plea bargain” with the EFCC and that the process had commenced.
The prosecution counsel confirmed the willingness of the defendant to enter into plea bargain with the Commission.
The defence counsel also pleaded with the court to make an oral application for bail on behalf of his client.
However, the court refused and rejected the prayer of the defence to make an oral application for bail for his client.
Justice Solebo adjourned the case to October 17, 2019 for commencement of trial and possible hearing of the plea bargain agreement.
The Judge also ordered the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.