A fake oil merchant who duped an unsuspecting American of $629,287.00 was on Wednesday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 25-count charge bordering on conspiracy, altering, forgery and obtaining by false pretence. The accused, Dr. Vincent Anyigor, and his company, Vanyigor Concepts Limited, appeared before Justice M. A. Liman of the Federal High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The complainant alleged that sometime in October 2010 he paid the sum of $629,287.00 to Dr. Vincent Anyigor for the supply of 6 million barrels of Bonny Light crude oil and that till date he is yet to receive the products or get a refund of his money.

Anyigor is alleged to be the leader of a syndicate and parades himself as an international operator in the oil and gas sector.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.

In view of his plea, counsel to EFCC, U. R. Ewoh, asked the court for a date for trial.

However, counsel to the defendant Chief Chuks Muom (SAN) urged the court to grant his client bail as the alleged offence is bailable.

Justice Liman granted the defendant bail in the sum of N100,000,000.00, with two sureties in like sum. Each of the sureties must own a landed property worth N50,000,000.00 within the jurisdiction of the court. The court bailiff is to verify the property. The defendant is also to deposit his international passport with the court registrar.

The defendant is to be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of his bail.

The case has been adjourned to 18 and 19 January, 2017 for trial.

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