A Makurdi Upper Area Court ordered on Friday that Modesta and Michael Edeh be remanded in a custodial centre for fraud. The News Agency of Nigeria reported that the police have charged the couple with criminal conspiracy and advanced‑fee fraud. Magistrate Vershima Hwande rejected the couple’s plea on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction and directed that they be remanded in the Federal Maximum Custodial Centre, Makurdi. The case was adjourned until 6 March for further mention.
Earlier, prosecution counsel Inspector Veronica Shaagee informed the court that the case was referred to the Commissioner of Police by ASP Geoffrey Gbidye of the State SCID in a petition dated 20 January. Shaagee recounted that, in 2020, a petitioner was lured by an agent of the couple to invest in an online business called “Crowd I.” The petitioner paid N100,000 and was promised a monthly interest of N50,000. During the police investigation the couple were arrested. The offence contravenes sections 8(a) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud‑Related Offences Act 2006, and the investigation remains ongoing.
In a separate case, 21‑year‑old unemployed Isaac Tony was arraigned before an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court on Friday for allegedly possessing 32 SIM cards from different network providers. Tony, a resident of Oshodi, Lagos State, was charged with fraud. Prosecutor Inspector Innocent Odugbo told the court that the offence occurred on 15 December in the Apakun Lanre area of Oshodi. Police apprehended Tony after observing suspicious behaviour and, during a search, discovered the 32 SIM cards. When questioned, Tony could not provide a satisfactory explanation for their possession. The offence breaches sections 328 and 329 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015. Tony pleaded not guilty. Magistrate M. F. Onamusi granted bail of N100,000 with two sureties of equal amount and adjourned the case for mention on 13 March.
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