Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe of the Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has ordered the arrest of Peter Ekweozor, an alleged internet fraudster who failed to appear in court for his arraignment.
Justice Abike-Fadipe issued the warrant of arrest yesterday after the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) moved an ex parte motion to that effect.
The EFCC had arrested Ekweozor alongside four others on May 13, 2024, following credible intelligence received by the Commission regarding the alleged criminal activities of a syndicate of internet fraudsters operating at the Indy-Pool Hotel on Idowu Street, Ajegunle, Olodi Apapa, Lagos State.
The prosecutor, Ayanfe Ogunsina told the judge that investigations carried out by the anti-graft agency revealed that the defendant had opened fake Facebook and Instagram accounts, falsely representing himself as a female porn star from Atlanta, USA, to defraud unsuspecting internet users.
Ogunsina also claimed that during the investigation, the defendant was granted administrative bail and was scheduled to report to the Lagos Zonal Directorate 1 of the EFCC on Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, on specific dates.
The lawyer claimed that the defendant never showed up after he was released.
He further told the court that the investigation had now been concluded and that charges had been filed against the defendant.
Ogunsina further informed the court of the Commission’s unsuccessful efforts to re-arrest the defendant after he jumped the administrative bail granted to him, which was meant for his arraignment.
He stated, “Efforts to reach the two individuals who stood as sureties for him have also been futile, as they have absconded. My Lord, the defendant knows a charge has been filed against him, and he is on the run to evade arraignment and trial.”
In her ruling, Justice Fadipe granted the request and adjourned the matter to June 18 for further proceedings.
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