Chartered Accountant, mother arraigned for N1bn, $975,102 fraud

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A chartered accountant, Omafume Ayinuola, and her mother, Lydia Ehrievuyere, were, on Wednesday, arraigned by the police before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly laundering N1,072,254,411 and $975,102.58.

The Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, arraigned the daughter and mother, as well as their firm, Patridia Resources Limited, before Justice Nicholas Oweibo.

They are charged with 15 charges, including conspiracy, illegal conversion of funds, money laundering, and fraud.

Police prosecution counsel, Morufu Animashaun, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences between 2017 and 2021 at Trailer Park, in the Agbara area of Lagos State.

He said the defendants allegedly defrauded some companies, which include: Oritsetimeyin Logistics Limited, PUO Assets Limited, Resolution Capital Limited, Pine Petosan Limited, Grace Capital Ltd, RsL International Limited, RsL Ventures Capital Limited, Grace & Mercy Capital Limited, Grace Assets Limited, and one Peter Ukuoritsemofe Ololo.

Animashaun also told the court that the funds allegedly stolen by the defendants were meant for the purchase and supplies of consumables for the office of the companies listed above.

However, the duo pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against them.

Justice Oweibo adjourned the matter till August 23, 2023, for hearing of the bail applications.

Meanwhile, the judge ordered that the defendants should be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre.