Justice Yelim Bogoro of a Federal High Court, Lagos, has remanded the Chief Executive Officer of Bethsaida Investment Partners Limited, Akintayo Ebenezer Ogunleye, over alleged fraudulent activities.
The judge remanded Ogunleye at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility after he pleaded not guilty to a 21-count charge of fraud brought against him by men of the Police Special Fraud Unit, Lagos.
Ogunleye was arraigned alongside his companies: Bethsaida Investment Partners Limited and Hartfield Investment Limited. The prosecuting counsel, Justine Enang, told the court that the defendants defrauded their victims under the pretence of investing money in real estate and online forex investments between 2020 and 2023.
Those allegedly defrauded and the amounts are: Adetoro Afonja, N75 million; Mabel Bade Ojeikere, N14 million; Kanayo Christian Chigbo, N25 million; Olusola Kehinde Ogundiji, N107 million; Olumide Afolabi Fasugba, N35 million; Ade Emmanuel Moses Oluboade, N11 million; Adebanjo Esther Olayinka, N13.6 million; Adebanjo Kolawole, N2 million and Adebanjo Ruth Tolaniji, N120,000.
Others are: Victor Eyefia, N50 million; Eyefia Oluwatosin Oladimeji, N5 million; Ibukun Mayadenu, N30 million; Adefisan Olanrewaju, N15 million; Augustine Ohikenena, N20 million; Adeola Adeshewa Cola, N20 million; Shopefoluwa Balogun, N40 million; Dada Olufunke Olufolarin, N15.7 million; Ajia Ogugua, N30 million and Adeola Owolabi, N7,945 million.
The prosecutor said the offence contravened Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(a), and are punishable under Section 1(3)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.
However, the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the counts. Following his plea, the prosecutor urged the court to remand Ogunleye at the correctional centre till determination of the charge.
But the defence counsel pleaded with the court to admit his client to bail, saying the bail application had been filed and served on the prosecutor.
Responding, Enang said he had just been served the application in court. Justice Bogoro, thereafter adjourned till March 12, for hearing of the bail application, and remanded the defendant.
