The Federal High Court in Lagos has postponed the trial of Olutoye Remi-John, a Lagos businessman and Director of TRJ Company Limited, to January 14, 2025. Remi-John is facing charges of conspiracy, obtaining property by false pretense, and the conversion of N39 million. His co-accused, Emeka Ndukwe, is currently at large.
The charges, brought by Police Legal Officer Zebedee Arekhandia from Zone Two Police Command, Onikan, Lagos, allege that Remi-John and Ndukwe conspired to defraud businessman Michael Etieobhio Omofoma. The alleged fraud involves a false offer to sell a property valued at N60 million.
Details of the Charges
1. Count One: Remi-John and Ndukwe are accused of conspiracy to commit a felony on November 4, 2022, in Ikeja, Lagos. They allegedly intended to defraud by obtaining property under false pretenses and converting the proceeds for personal use. This violates Section 8(a) and is punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act, 2006.
2. Count Two: The duo allegedly obtained N60 million from Mr. Omofoma by falsely representing that they would sell him a property located at No. 37, Aba Johnson Crescent, Off Adeniyi Jones Avenue, Ikeja. Knowing the claim to be false, they violated Section 1(3)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud Act.
3. Count Three: Remi-John is accused of converting N39 million out of the N60 million obtained for his personal benefit between November 4 and December 31, 2022. The prosecution claims that Remi-John knew or should have known that the funds were proceeds from a criminal act. This is punishable under Section 15(1) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011, as amended in 2012.
Remi-John has yet to enter a plea. The court has scheduled the trial to resume on January 14, 2025. As the case progresses, the court will examine the evidence presented to determine the validity of the charges against Remi-John and any potential involvement of his co-accused, Emeka Ndukwe.
