EFCC arraigns 3 pastors over N7.9 million fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Monday arraigned three pastors; David Eshiet, Samson Ugbara and Adesanmi Aderoju before an Ikeja High Court, Lagos over an alleged N7.9 million fraud.

The defendants, who were arraigned alongside their company, Prince and Zion International Service Ltd. on a six-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretenses, forgery and uttering before Justice Olabisi Akinlade.

EFCC’s counsel, Mr. Ben Ubi alleged that the defendant conspired to fraudulently obtain the sums of N4 million and $25,000 (N3.9 million) from Angel Estate Residents Development Association in Amuwo-Odofin, Lagos.

Ubi also alleged that the money was obtained on October 27, 2011 under the pretence of helping the complainant source for a $100 million loan facility.

The loan, the prosecution alleged, was being sourced by the association to finance some community projects, adding that the defendants had obtained the money as processing charges.

The prosecutor further accused the defendants of forging various documents, which were used in facilitating the fraud.

According to the prosecution, the defendants failed to secure the loan as promised after collecting the money, which led the complainants to petition the EFCC.

The alleged offences, the EFCC said contravened Sections 1, (sub-sections 1,2,3) and 8 of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria as well as sections 363 and 364 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011.

All the defendants, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.


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