Police Docks Estate Agent for Allegedly Defrauding Ojukwu’s Company
An estate agent, Mr. Emmanuel Obiajulu Omuojine, has been arraigned before a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja for allegedly defrauding Ojukwu Transport Ltd to the tune of N182 million.
Omuojine was arraigned by the Inspector General of Police on a 10-count charge before Justice Hakeem Oshodi.
The charges against the defendant include stealing by fraudulent conversion, obtaining money by false pretences and forgery.
The Police allege that Omuojine, who is said to be Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu's agent and others at large, while operating under the name and style of Omuojine & Associates between 2007 and 2010, conspired to steal money collected as rents from tenants, on behalf of Ojukwu Transport Ltd.
The defendant was accused of collecting the sum of N44 million as rent from West African Offshore Ltd on January 22, 2007, on behalf of Ojukwu Transport Ltd, and fraudulently converted the money for his own use and benefit.
The charge sheet with the suit No: ID/29500/2016 read in part: Emmanuel Obiajulu Omuojine and others at large, while operating under the name and style of Omuojine & Associates, on or about the 22nd day of January, 2007 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N44 million from West African Offshore Ltd by falsely representing to the said West Africa Offshore Ltd, through its officers, that you were estate agent of Ojukwu Transport Ltd and that you were authorised to collect the said rent on behalf of Ojukwu Transport Ltd, which representation you knew to be false or did not believe to be true.
“Emmanuel Obiajulu Omuojine and others at large on or about the 10th day of September, 2007 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did collect the sum of N10 million as rent from Scott's Cottage Ltd, on behalf of Ojukwu Transport Ltd, and fraudulently converted same to your own use and benefit.
“Emmanuel Obiajulu Omuojine and others at large on or about the 6th day of April, 2009 in Lagos, within the the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did collect the sum of N6.5 million as rent from Scott's Cottage Ltd, on behalf of Ojukwu Transport Ltd, and fraudulently converted same to your own use and benefit.
“Emmanuel Obiajulu Omuojine and others at large
on or about the 10th day of September, 2007 in Lagos, within the the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did collect the sum of N7.5 million as rent from Unity Bank Plc vide Cheque No. 02044052 on behalf of Ojukwu Transport Ltd, and fraudulently converted same to your own use and benefit.
“Emmanuel Obiajulu Omuojine and others at large sometime in 2015 in Lagos, within the the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did collect the sum of N8 million as rent from Scott's Cottage Ltd, on behalf of Ojukwu Transport Ltd, and fraudulently converted same to your own use and benefit.
“Emmanuel Obiajulu Omuojine and others at large between 23rd September, 2004 and 9th March, 2005 in Lagos, within the the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did collect the sum of N100 million as rent from Diplomat Investment Ltd, on behalf of Ojukwu Transport Ltd, and fraudulently converted same to your own use and benefit."
The Police also accused Omuojine of forging a document titled "Re: Ojukwu Transport Ltd Properties Under Your Management", purporting same to have been made by one Stephen Edeh, "Secretary" to Ojukwu Transport Ltd.
According to the Police, the offences committed by the defendant, are contrary to Sections 516, 390(8), 419, 285(9)(C) of the Criminal Code of Lagos State Cap C17 Vol 2 of 2003
The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In view of his plea, Police counsel, Mr. Emmanuel Jackson, asked the court to remand the defendant in prison custody and fix a trial date.
Defence counsel however, opposed the application by the Police counsel, and urged the court to grant his client bail on self recognisance.
Ruling on the bail application, Justice Oshodi granted the defendant bail on self recognisance in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.
The Judge also ordered the defendant to deposit his International Passport with the court, and fixed trial for March 12, 2018.