The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos office, on Thursday re-arraigned one Sylvester Osolase before Justice O.A. Taiwo of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos on a four-count charge bordering on possession of documents containing false information.

A statement by the commission’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Tony Orilade, explained that “the offence is contrary to Section 6, 8(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.”

One of the counts reads: “That you, Sylvester Osolase, on or about the 27th of May, 2018 at Lagos, within the Ikeja judicial division of this honourable Court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession documents titled “Priority Mail 2-DayTM” and Priority Mail 2-DayTM”, which documents were printed out from your email address adcane01@yahoo.com and which you knew contained false information.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Vera Agboje, asked the court for a trial date.

However, counsel to defendant, Lekan Egberongbe, prayed the court to allow the defendant to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him by the court.

Consequently, Justice Taiwo adjourned the matter to February 4, 2019, for commencement of trial.

In a related development, another suspected Internet fraudster, Mayaki Monday, was yesterday re-arraigned by EFCC before Justice Taiwo on a 10-count charge bordering on possession of documents containing false information. The offence is contrary to Section 6, 8(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Mayaki Monday on or about the 27th of May, 2018 at Lagos within the Ikeja judicial division of this honourable court, with intent to defraud, had in your possession e-mail correspondence titled “Re: Their response Mary’s lawyer” which you sent from your email address: lawofficebarristerjoe@gmail.com to parts01@yahoo.com which email you knew contained false information.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him. In view of his pleas, the prosecution counsel, Agboje, asked the court for a trial date.

However, counsel to defendant, Egberongbe, prayed the court to allow the defendant to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted him by the court.

The matter was adjourned to February 4, 2018, for commencement of trial.

The suspects were arrested on Sunday, May 27, 2018, at River View Estate, Isheri North, Lagos State, following intelligence report received by the Commission about their activities.

The suspects, who were dealing in romance and classified scams, confessed to have defrauded several unsuspecting victims around the world.

They also confessed to have used proceeds of their illicit deals to buy cars, paid their rents and travel around the world.

Items found on them include laptops, cars, mobile phones and incriminating documents that were printed from their emails.

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