An undergraduate, Austin Onyekachukwu, on Monday appeared before a Federal High Court sitting in Osogbo, Osun State, over allegations bordering on impersonation and intent to commit fraud. The defendant was dragged before Justice Emmanuel Ayoola by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly claiming to be a lady from the United States of America. Onyekachukwu, however, pleaded not guilty to the two counts preferred against him by the anti-graft body.
The EFCC counsel, Mr Basheer Sulaeman, while addressing the court, said the defendant perpetrated the act between August 2018 and June 2019 in Osogbo, Osun State. The lawyer also alleged that the defendant had documents where he claimed to be an American with the name Lucy.
The offences were said to have contravened Section 6 and were punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud. The defence counsel, Mr Olanrewaju Jayeoba, applied for the bail of the defendant, adding that Onyekachukwu was an undergraduate of an unnamed tertiary institution.
Justice Ayoola admitted him to bail in the sum of N500,000 with one surety in like sum. The judge further said the defendant’s father, who was present in court, could stand surety for him, while he adjourned the matter till Wednesday, November 11, 2020, for trial.
PUNCH