Operatives of Police Special Fraud Unit, Ikoyi, Lagos have arraigned oil marketer, Emmanuel Morah, who was recently pardoned before a Lagos Federal High Court, for charges bordering on fraud and issuance of dud cheques.
The defendant, whose companies are Rocky Nigeria Limited; Rocky Oil Limited and Rocky Energy Limited, was among the convicts recently granted amnesty by the federal government on health ground, but yet to be released from the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS).
He was convicted and sentenced to five years imprisonment by an Ikeja High Court of Lagos State presided over by Justice Lateefat Okunnu, in January 26, 2018, on fuel subsidy fraud, amounting to N789 6 million.
He appealed his conviction and sentence both they were dismissed on October 26, 2018, by Justice Shagbaore Ikyegh, who led a panel of three justices.
He was however granted amnesty by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2022, on health ground.
During Monday’s arraignment, the oil marketer was brought to court by the NCoS and arraigned on charges of obtaining the sum of N24 million, from one Alhaji Kayode Kasumu, the chairman/chief executive officer of Beauty & Fragrance International Limited, under the false pretense that he will use the money to complete a property at No. 10 Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, within two months, and rent part to him.
He was also alleged to have issued a Diamond Bank cheque, number 86584589, dated October 2, 2016, with monetary value of N10 million, with account name, Rocky Energy Limited, in favour of Beauty and Fragrance International Limited, which upon presentation for payment was rejected and dishonoured on grounds of insufficient funds in the account.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Justine Enang, are contrary to and punishable under section 1 (1)(a),(3) of the of Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. And Section 1 (1) (b), (2), and section 2 of the Dishonoured Cheques (Offences) Act, CAP D11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his plea, the prosecutor, Mr. Enang, asked the court for a trial date, while urging the court to remand him in the custody of NCoS.
Responding to the prosecutor’s request, counsel, E. M. Ojere, told the court that he has filed the defendant’s bail application and same has been served on the prosecution. The position which was confirmed by the prosecutor.
The prosecutor also told the court that the police do not intend to file any counter to the application and left same to court’s discretion.
Upon hearing counsel submissions, Justice Akintayo Aluko, admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N10 million with one surety in like sum.
Justice Aluko also ordered that the surety must be a resident and a property owner within the Court’s jurisdiction, who must sworn to affidavit of means. Adding that both the defendant and the surety must deposit their two recent passport photographs with the court and that the prosecutor must be part of the verification, and that the surety must be recognized by a cleric.
The judge however ordered that the defendant be remanded in the NCoS’ custody till the perfection of the bail terms.
