The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) re‑arraigned social media influencer and comedienne Adedamola Adewale, known as Adeherself, on Wednesday for an alleged N7.9 million internet fraud. According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Adewale was charged, along with two others who remain at large, with three counts: conspiracy to obtain money by false pretences, attempt to obtain money by false pretences, and retention of proceeds of criminal conduct. She pleaded not guilty.
EFCC counsel Mr. Samuel Daji told the court that the case had been reassigned and urged that the defendant be remanded pending the commencement of trial. He argued that the matter was new before the court and that a proper bail application was required from the defence. “My lord, this case was heard before Justice Sherifat Solebo before she retired, and when it was transferred to this honourable court, I informed my learned friend that the case would be coming up on Jan. 25,” Daji said. “This is a matter that is starting afresh before your lordship, and we do not know if the sureties who stood for her earlier are dead or not. It is proper for the defence to apply afresh for bail before your lordship.”
Defence counsel Mr. Kassim Molade, however, asked the court to retain the bail granted by Justice Solebo pending a new bail application. He noted that the defendant had not been absent from court and was ready to be available for trial. “We passionately urge your lordship to allow the defendant to continue to enjoy the bail given to her by the sister court,” Molade said. “The reason we were not here on Jan. 25 is that prosecution did not get back to me. I assure your lordship that before the close of today I will rush to the sister court to obtain a copy of the ruling on the bail application.”
Justice Mojisola Dada consequently retained the bail previously granted by Justice Solebo, pending the filing of a new bail application by the defence. She also ordered the defendant to submit her bank statement within three weeks, warning that failure to do so would result in her remand.
The EFCC alleges that Adewale, together with Lasisi Adeleke and Sodiq Adeleke (both still at large), attempted to defraud Mr. Joseph Rumoro of $6,000 by claiming the money was needed for a passport, visa, and tax payment. The commission further alleges that Adewale retained N7.9 million in her bank account as proceeds of cybercrime. The alleged offences contravene Sections 8(a) and 1(3), 8(b) and 1(3), and 17(a) and (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud‑Related Offences Act, 2006. The case has been adjourned until April 18 for the commencement of trial.
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