The Federal High Court in Lagos has scheduled February 27, 2025, for the arraignment of Gbolahan Obanikoro and four others for an alleged fraud totaling N1,356,057,330.43. The defendants facing charges include Adejare Adegbenro, Balmoral International Limited, M.O.B. Integrated Limited, and DDSS International Company Limited.
The charges against them include conspiracy, obtaining by false pretenses, false representation, and fraud. The court set the date for arraignment after the defendants failed to appear as scheduled.
The prosecution requested a bench warrant against the defendants, citing that they had all been served. However, a defense counsel opposed the warrant, stating that one of the defendants, a company, received late service and was only informed of the case a day before.
The judge requested proof of service and date of service, highlighting the need for personal service on all defendants. The case was adjourned to February 27, 2025, for the arraignment of all defendants.
The Inspector General of Police, through the Special Fraud Unit in Ikoyi, Lagos, accused the defendants of conspiring to fraudulently obtain funds from Access Bank Plc, misrepresenting themselves for the importation of cars from Dubai, and converting bank funds for personal use.
The alleged offenses contravene specific sections of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offenses Act and the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act.