The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Maiduguri Zonal Office, on Monday arraigned the trio of Philip Power, Attah Adoga and Christopher Wema before Justice Fadawu Umar of the State High Court on a two-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence.

The suspects were arrested following a complaint by one Bello Musa alleging that, one Baba Yohanna introduced him to iron scrap business and in the process fraudulently induced him to pay a sum of N150,000 for the supply of the iron scrap.

Count One of the charge reads: “That you, Prince Philip Power, Attah Adoga and Christopher Wema sometime in July, 2017 at Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court did agree among yourselves to do an illegal act, to wit: conspiracy to obtain money under the false pretence from one Ali Musa contrary to and punishable under Sections 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act 2006 respectively.”‎

Particulars of count read: “That you, Prince Philip Power, Attah Adoga and Christopher Wema sometime in July 2017 at Maiduguri, Borno State, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court and with intent to defraud, induced one Ali Musa to deliver to you the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Naira only(N150,000:00) under the false pretence that the said sum would be utilised to service his interest in a business for the supply of iron scrap, facts you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under section 1(1)(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 respectively.”

The accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Upon their pleas, counsel to the EFCC, Khalid Sanusi, urged the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the suspects in prison custody.

Justice Fadawu adjourned to December 6, 2017 for trial and ordered the accused persons to be remanded in the prison custody.

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