EFCC arraigns Fraudster for $45,000 Forex scam

       






















The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned Chief Ikechukwu Meregini, before Justice Kudirat Jose of the Lagos State High Court, sitting in Ikeja on a two-count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretence.
Meregini ran into trouble when a petitioner, M.S Securities Bureau De Change Limited, allegedly entered into a foreign exchange transaction with him, involving the sum of $45,000 ( Forty-Five Thousand United States Dollars).
The money was paid into his domiciliary account, with an understanding that Meregini would pay the Naira equivalent to the petitioner within five (5) days of the transaction . Meregini allegedly issued a post- dated cheque to the petitioner and when it was presented, it was returned unpaid. The petitioner said that all efforts to make Meregini refund the money yielded no result.
When the charge was read to him, he pleaded not guilty.
One of the charges read: “Chief Ikechukwu Meregini, sometimes in 2003 at Lagos within the jurisdiction of this court and with intent to defraud, conspired with Samuel Eze (now at large) to wit: stealing the sum of $45,000.00 USD, the property of M.S Securities Bureau De Change Limited.
In view of his plea, prosecuting counsel, Anita Imo, asked for a trial date. However, defense counsel, Jude Ogbonnaya Oparaku, presented a bail application before the court. He argued that the accused would make himself available for trial, if admitted to bail.
After listening to the submissions of counsel, Justice Jose granted the accused bail in the sum of N4million with two sureties in like sum.
The case was adjourned to May, 20 and 21, 2015 for trial.

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