EFCC Arraigns Suspected Lottery Scammer

EFCC Arraigns Suspected Lottery Scammer

A member of a syndicate of fraudsters operating in Ogun State, Bassey Okhiria was on Thursday docked before Justice O. A Ipaye of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on  a 4- count charge bordering on possession of fraudulent document containing false pretence, contrary to Section 6, 8(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

Okhiria, 26, who hails from Edo State,  is accused of running a fake lottery scheme through which he tries to dupe unsuspecting members of the public. He is alleged to be a member of a deadly syndicate of fraudsters that was arrested in Abeokuta, Ijebu- Ode and Sagamu in Ogun state, recently.

When the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.

One of the counts read, “that you Bassey Okhiria (a.k.a Robert J. Holley) on or about 3rd day of March, 2014 within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud had in your possession document wherein you falsely represented to one Dr. Katty Loius Sander that you are a US Federal Government agent and that he has won $100,000 USD lottery from the government”.

Another count reads, “that you Bassey Okhiria (a.k.a Robert J. Holley) on or before 3rd day of March, 2014 within the Ikeja Judicial Division with intent to defraud had in your possession document wherein you falsely represented to one Mary Ann Rustan that you are a US Federal Government agent and that he has won $100,000 USD lottery from the government”.

In view of the plea of the defendant, prosecution counsel, Babatunde Shonoiki asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand him in prison custody.  But defence counsel, M.Balogun informed the Court that he had filed an application for bail. He also prayed the court to allow the defendant to continue to enjoy the terms of an administrative bail earlier him by the EFCC.

Justice Ipaye adjourned the matter to March 23 and 24, 2015 for hearing of the pending bail application and ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.