Two Female Suspects Granted N200m Bail In N140m Fraud Case
A Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, has granted bail of N200 million to two female suspects, Blessing Chima and Chikamson Williams, who were arraigned for allegedly stealing N140 million.
The defendants, both 47 years old, were arraigned under case number FHC/L/709c/2024 by the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon-Ikoyi. They face charges related to obtaining by false pretence, theft, and receiving stolen funds.
The prosecution, led by Oladiran Ayodele, alleged that the offenses took place between July 4 and 5, 2024, in Lagos. Ayodele informed the court that Chima fraudulently received N25 million, N50 million, and N75 million in three installments from businessman Lanre Afebuameh, the owner of Continental Lithium Limited. Chima had promised to exchange the funds for Chinese currency and transfer them to Afebuameh’s business partners in China. Williams is accused of receiving the stolen funds from Chima.
The offenses violate sections of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act of 2006 and the Criminal Code Act of Nigeria.
Both Chima and Williams pleaded not guilty to the charges. Their lawyers, A.O. Johnson and E. Etudo, submitted bail applications. The prosecution asked for more time to review Chima’s application but left Williams’ bail application to the court’s discretion.
Justice Lewis-Allagoa granted each defendant bail in the sum of N100 million, with one surety in like amount. The sureties must own property within the court’s jurisdiction. Until their bail conditions are met, the defendants will be remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre’s female section. The trial is scheduled to begin on December 10, 2024.
