The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on
Friday, September 26, 2014 arraigned Dandeson Ebosele Ibhonitie, 26, a.k.a
Dandy James, Connor Mead and Barrister Louis Harpoch and Ohiwerei Charity,
31, before Justice E. F. Ikponmwen of
Edo State High Court, Benin-City on a 3- count charge bordering on conspiracy
and obtaining money by false pretence.
Ibhonitie and Charity allegedly belong to the group of
fraudsters using the internet to defraud unsuspecting victims.
fraudsters using the internet to defraud unsuspecting victims.
Ibhonitie allegedly defrauded one Mrs. Weidman Andrea
Sabrie, a German, of the sum of $ 91,000 (Ninety-One Thousand United States
Dollars) by pretending to be an American working in Nigeria for a road
construction company.
Sabrie, a German, of the sum of $ 91,000 (Ninety-One Thousand United States
Dollars) by pretending to be an American working in Nigeria for a road
construction company.
To access the proceeds of the fraud, Ibhonitie
allegedly opened a domiciliary account in the name of one Mr. Steven. He
entered into an agreement with Charity, the account officer that opened the
account for him, on how the proceeds from the crime will be shared. By the
arrangement, Charity was to keep 3 percent of every inflow to herself while 7
percent will go to Ibhonitie. The remaining 90 percent, by the arrangement,
went to Steven. However, investigations showed that Ibhonitie was the same as
Steven. When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.
allegedly opened a domiciliary account in the name of one Mr. Steven. He
entered into an agreement with Charity, the account officer that opened the
account for him, on how the proceeds from the crime will be shared. By the
arrangement, Charity was to keep 3 percent of every inflow to herself while 7
percent will go to Ibhonitie. The remaining 90 percent, by the arrangement,
went to Steven. However, investigations showed that Ibhonitie was the same as
Steven. When the charges were read to them, they pleaded not guilty.
One of the counts read:
“Dandeson Ebosele Ibhonitie (a.k.a Dandy
James, Connor Mead, Barrister Louis
Harpoch, Brett Francis Steven (still at large) and Ohiwerei Charity on or about
the 2nd day of April, 2014 at Benin within the Benin judicial division, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of
USD 45,000.00(Forty Five Thousand United State Dollars) from Mrs. Weidman
Andrea Sabrie, a German national through Skye Bank of Nigeria Limited Account
No: 2520346555 in the name of Dandy James by falsely pretending to her that the
said sum of money represented legal fee for Barrister Louis Harpoch for your
defense which pretence you knew to be false”.
James, Connor Mead, Barrister Louis
Harpoch, Brett Francis Steven (still at large) and Ohiwerei Charity on or about
the 2nd day of April, 2014 at Benin within the Benin judicial division, with intent to defraud obtained the sum of
USD 45,000.00(Forty Five Thousand United State Dollars) from Mrs. Weidman
Andrea Sabrie, a German national through Skye Bank of Nigeria Limited Account
No: 2520346555 in the name of Dandy James by falsely pretending to her that the
said sum of money represented legal fee for Barrister Louis Harpoch for your
defense which pretence you knew to be false”.
In view of their pleas, prosecuting counsel, Ayokunle
Fayanju, prayed the court for a trial date. He also opposed the bail
applications of the defendants.
Fayanju, prayed the court for a trial date. He also opposed the bail
applications of the defendants.
Justice Ikponmwen adjourned the matter till September,
30, 2014 for hearing of bail applications and ordered that the defendants be
remanded in prison custody.
30, 2014 for hearing of bail applications and ordered that the defendants be
remanded in prison custody.
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