EFCC arraigns socialite over N35m ‘fraud’ in Ogun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibadan Zonal Office, on Monday, arraigned one Mary Maisirat Akerele before an Ogun State High Court, Abeokuta, for alleged N35.520m fraud.

The socialite was arraigned on a five-count charge before Justice Abiodun Akinyemi on Monday.

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The 46-years-old socialite, who resides in Aseko area of Idiroko Ogun State, was charged to court following a petition, alleging that she collected the said sum in instalments from one Alhaja Oladoja Abike for the purpose of supplying four truck-load of rice from a rice milling company at Bida, Niger State but diverted the funds.

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her before the court.

Counsel to the defendant, H. A. Omikunle made an oral application for his client’s bail. However, the EFCC Counsel, Shamsuddeen Bashir, opposed the application, citing the defendant’s failure to keep the terms of the administrative bail earlier granted her.

Justice Akinyemi adjourned the case till March 4 for determination of the bail application and ordered the remand of the defendant in the Nigerian Correctional Centre, Ibara, Abeokuta.