The Nigeria Police Special Fraud Unit (SFU) Ikoyi, Lagos, Thursday, arraigned two teenagers, Uche Samuel and Erhunmwunse Eseosa Frank, before a Lagos Federal High Court, on charges bordering on alleged conspiracy, internet fraud, unlawful conversation, stealing by fraudulent conversation and fraud of N40 million.
The defendants who are 19 years of age, were arraigned before Justice Daniel Osiagor on the alleged charges.
According to their prosecutor, Mr. Henri Obiaze, the defendants who told the court that they are undergraduates of Delta State University (DELSU).
Mr. Obiaze said sometimes in 2021, the duo allegedly conspired among themselves to unlawfully convert the sum of $75, 000, equivalent to N40 million, which they derived directly from the criminal activities of stealing and theft within the websites of Apex Multi-Trading Technologies Limited.
The prosecutor also told the court that the two defendants, fraudulently converted to themselves the sum of $74, 0000, property of Apex Multi-Trading Technologies Ltd
Mr. Obiaze told the court that the alleged act of the two defendants caused Apex Multi-Trading Technologies Limited to lose the sum of $75, 000 USD, by suppressing the company’s data held in its computer for the purpose of conferring economic benefits to themselves.
He told the court that the offences committed by the teenagers contravened sections 18(a) and 15(1)(b); of the money laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. Sections 516 and 390(9)of the Criminal Code, Cap. C38 LFN 2004.
He added that the defendants action contravened Section 14(1) of the Cybercrime (Prohibition Prevention etc) Act, 2015, and punishable under the same Act.
The two defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
With the defendants’ plea of not guilty, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date and urged the court to remand the teenagers in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS), till the determination of the charges.
Justice Osiagor while adjourning the matter till May 10, for trial, ordered that the defendants be remanded in the custody of NCoS.
The judge however, told their counsel to approach the court once their bail application is filed and served on the prosecution.
