EFCC takes Ibadan businesswoman to court over alleged ₦58m fraud in soft drink supply scam

The Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has brought Ajayi Oluwabukola Temitope before an Oyo State High Court on charges of obtaining N58,458,000 by false pretense from multiple victims in a carbonated soft drink supply scam.

Ajayi Oluwabukola Temitope faced a four-count charge of obtaining by false pretense, a violation of Section 419 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000. She was arraigned on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, before Justice Kamorudeen Babatunde Olawoyin.

The charges outlined instances where Temitope allegedly obtained large sums of money from victims under the guise of supplying carbonated soft drinks. One charge, for example, detailed the accusation that she fraudulently obtained N23,183,000 from Alhaji Yusuf Nadabo for the supply of four trucks of various soft drink brands.

Temitope pleaded not guilty to the charges. The prosecution counsel, Sanusi Musa Galandachi, informed the court that the defendant had allegedly swindled multiple victims, obtaining sums such as N8.5 million, N9.4 million, N23.1 million, and N17.3 million from different individuals. He argued that Temitope was a flight risk, having previously jumped administrative bail granted by the EFCC.

In response to the prosecution’s prayers, the defendant’s counsel, S.B. Ajibola, requested bail for his client. However, Justice Olawoyin denied the bail application, citing the flight risk, and ordered the defendant to be remanded in the EFCC detention facility pending trial.

The court also ordered an accelerated hearing for the prosecution to present and conclude its case. The trial is scheduled to commence on March 14, 15, and 21, 2024.

The case highlights the EFCC’s efforts to address financial crimes and emphasizes the urgency in prosecuting such cases to ensure justice is served.