Man slammed with 75-count charge over N1.4bn ‘fraud’

A 45-year-old man, Yusuf Bakare, has been charged before a Lagos High Court in Igbosere slammed with a 75-count charge over N1.4 billion alleged fraud.

Bakare, charged with his two companies, Fairgate Marketing Communication Ltd and Bethel Marketing Communication Ltd, appeared before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi on charges of theft and obtaining money under false pretences and forgery.
Bakare, according to the prosecutor, between January 2011 and June 2012, obtained the sum of N1, 472,285,294 from Sosaco Nigeria Ltd through his companies after claiming to be an advertising agent.
The accused obtained the said amount after he promised to plan and execute radio/TV advert for the complainant, which he never did.

The said amount was also obtained by the accused to organise a give-back to dealers in respect of the company’s corporate social responsibility.
Investigation later revealed that the accused had convinced the complainant with a forged NAFDAC/APCON certificate of approval and certificates of transmission on all broadcasting stations.
When his plea, he, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The EFCC counsel, Mr Festus Ojo, then urged the court to remand the accused in prison custody pending the commencement of trial.

But the defence counsel, Mr Bolu Adegorowa, objected, noting that the prosecution arraigned the accused without notice, a reason for him not being able to file a bail application.
He prayed the court to allow the accused continue with the administrative bail already granted him by the EFCC.
Justice Adebiyi, after listening to both counsels, adjourned the case to February 14 for continuation of trial.