Justice Mojisola Dada of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos, on Thursday, November 3, 2022, revoked the bail of one Adanu Blessing Ajumi, who is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, for an alleged N47 million fraud.
Ajumi, who is accused of trading under the name and style of Emerald Multipurpose Cooperative Society to defraud her victims, is facing a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, contrary to Section 1(1) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006, and stealing, contrary to Section 278 and 285 of the Criminal Law of Lagos 2011.
One of the counts reads: “Adanu Blessing Ajumi, between 30th day of November 2018 and the 11th day of January 2019 at Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, dishonestly stole and converted to your own use a cumulative sum of N47,575,000 (Forty-seven Million Five Hundred and Seventy-five Thousand Naira) from Mrs. Favour Bukola Nnamani.”
She pleaded “not guilty” to the charges when she was arraigned on December 19, 2019.
At today’s sitting, which was slated for the adoption of final written addresses, the prosecuting counsel, S.O. Daji, informed the court of the absence of the defendant, noting that it was not the first time she had been absent in court and that it was obvious she had jumped bail.
The defence counsel, O. Ajanaku,also expressed surprise at the absence of his client.
In view of this, Daji moved an application, urging the court to “revoke the bail of the defendant and for an order to declare her wanted.”
There was no objection from the defence.
Consequently, Justice Dada held that “the bail of the defendant is hereby revoked and a bench warrant is hereby ordered for her arrest against the next date.
“The EFCC is also hereby ordered to declare her wanted”.
The case has been adjourned till December 2, 2022.