An American, Marco Ramirez,
was on Thursday re-arraigned before the Lagos State Special Offences Court in
Ikeja for allegedly defrauding some Nigerians of $565,000 (about N203.4m) on
the pretext of helping them secure the United States Green Card.
He was arraigned alongside
his companies, USA Now LLC, Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Capital
Group by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on amended 12 counts
bordering on conspiracy and obtaining under false pretences.
According to the EFCC,
Ramirez and his companies, sometime in February 2013 and August 2013 in Lagos,
defrauded Ambassador Godson Echejue, Abubakar Sodiq and Olukayode Sodimu of the
said sum.
The defendant and his
companies had been arraigned on June 22, 2017, before Justice Josephine Oyefeso
on 16 counts bordering on the same offences and pleaded not guilty to the
charges.
Following his not guilty
plea, Justice Oyefeso admitted him to bail in the sum of $25,000.
However, midway into the
trial, the case file was transferred and he was subsequently re-arraigned
before Justice Mojisola Dada.
After taking his plea,
Ramirez’s counsel, Ademola Adefolaju, urged the court to allow his client to
continue with the bail terms set by the previous judge.
When asked by Justice Dada
if the defendant had complied with the bail terms, Adefolaju confirmed that his
client had fully complied and had been going to the EFCC’s office as directed
by the court.
Granting the request,
Justice Dada said, “Having not breached the bail terms granted by my brother
judge, the defendant is hereby allowed to continue with the terms.”
The matter was adjourned
till October 7, 8, 9 and 10 for trial.
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