A Federal High Court in Lagos, Nigeria has set February 27, 2025, for the arraignment of Gbolahan Obanikoro, the son of Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, and four others in connection with an alleged ₦1.356 billion fraud. The accused individuals include Adejare Adegbenro, 51; Balmoral International Limited; M.O.B. Integrated Limited; and DDSS International Company Limited. They are facing five charges of conspiracy, obtaining by false pretenses, false representation, and fraud.
Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa made the ruling on January 24 after the defendants failed to appear for their scheduled arraignment. Prosecution counsel Momoh Bello requested a bench warrant for the absent defendants, claiming they had been served notices. However, defense attorney Joshua Abel argued that his client, a company, received late service, and its directors abroad had not been properly informed. The court examined the proof of service and concluded that the first and second defendants were not properly served, although the third and fourth defendants had been. The prosecution was directed to regularize service for the remaining parties.
The Inspector General of Police, through the Special Fraud Unit in Lagos, alleges that the defendants conspired between May and September 2013 to fraudulently obtain ₦1.356 billion from Access Bank Plc (formerly Diamond Bank). The defendants are accused of falsely claiming to import cars from Dubai, and fraudulently stating that the funds were needed to finance vehicle imports. They are accused of converting the money for personal use, knowing it was the proceeds of unlawful activity. The charges are punishable under the Advance Fee Fraud and Money Laundering Acts.
