The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Ibadan Zonal Command arraigned Adepoju Sunday, alias SSG, the owner of De Rock Club in Ibadan, before Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Oyo State on Wednesday.
The anti-corruption agency made the announcement in a statement signed by its spokesman, Wilson Uwajeren.
Uwajeren stated that the defendant was apprehended on August 31, 2022, along with 21 other suspected internet fraudsters, in an intelligence-driven operation carried out by its Ibadan Zonal Command operatives.
He was arrested with a 2020 Range Rover HSE Sports Utility Vehicle, an iPhone 13 Pro Max and Hp laptop, among others.
The anti-graft agency stated that the defendant was arraigned on two separate charges for his alleged involvement in cybercrime and obtaining money under false pretense to the tune of N31,821,000.
According to Uwajeren, the first charge, containing eight counts, bordered on identity theft, obtaining COVID–19 and unemployment benefits from the United States of America Government, while the other 19 counts are premised on transfer of proceeds of crime to one Owoade David.
He said investigations revealed that Adepoju, 36, who claimed to be a graduate of Industrial Chemistry of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Osun State had, during the COVID–19 pandemic allegedly swindled the American government and unsuspecting American citizens thousands of dollars.
The defendant pleaded ‘not guilty’ when the charges were read to him.
Consequently, the prosecution counsel, Mabas Mabur asked the court for a trial date and that the suspect be remanded pending the determination of the case.
However, counsel to the defendant, Olaniyi George, informed the court that he has filed two separate bail applications on behalf of his client and prayed the court to grant the defendant bail.
But Mabur told the court to reject the applications on the grounds that the defendant is a flight risk who has pending charges against him in other law courts.
Justice Agomoh thereafter adjourned the matter till April 18 for ruling and ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Agodi Correctional facility.