Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), today, arraigned one Obakin Emmanuel Ajibola for allegedly stealing N251, 685, 000 million belonging to a firm, Lee Fakino Nigeria Limited.
The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Commission arraigned the suspect before Justice Ladiran Akintola of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan, on a four-count charge.
As contained in a release by the EFCC Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, Obakin committed the alleged offence in Ibadan, last December.
The suspect was one of the two directors of Lee Fakino Nigeria Limited and signatory to the company’s account.
One of the charges against the suspect read: “That you Obakin Emmanuel Ajibola, adult, male sometime in December, 2022 at Ibadan within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did fraudulently steal the sum of N120, 500, 000.00 belonging to Lee Fakino Nigeria Limited, an offence of stealing contrary to Section 390(9) Criminal Code Law.”
Obakin allegedly withdrew the sum from Lee Fakino Nigeria Limited without authorization and consent of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Akindele Fajemiyo who is also signatory to the company’s account.
“Furthermore, the defendant is alleged to have removed the telephone numbers and email address of the MD/CEO of the company from the bank details of Lee Fakino Nigeria Limited, through which notification alerts of transactions were received to enable him keep track of the account.
“Obakin, afterwards withdrew the said sum from the account of the firm, which was money paid for works executed by Lee Fakino Nigeria Limited for the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture between December 22, 2022 and March 9, 2023 without any notification received by Fajemiyo.
“Upon arraignment, Obakin pleaded “not guilty” to the charges filed against him by the EFCC,” Uwujaren stated in the release.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Oyelakin Oyediran, asked the court for a trial date.
He prayed the court to remand Obakin in the correctional facility, pending the determination of the case.
Counsel to the defendant, Ibrahim Lawal urged the court to admit his client to bail.
Justice Ladiran Akintola admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N50 million and two sureties, preferably the wife and younger brother to the defendant, in like sum.
“The sureties are to swear an affidavit of means, deposit their National Identification Slip with the court and provide the court with adequate residential addresses.
“Also, the court ordered that the defendant provide the court with his National Identification Slip and residential addresses,” it was added in the release.
The matter was adjourned till October 23, 2023 for further hearing.
