The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the chief executive officer of BFI Group Corporation, Dr. Reuben M. Jaja and six others before Justice M.S. Idris of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Jabi, Abuja, over an alleged €100 million capital importation fraud involving a purported Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) account.
Other defendants are Uzor Chidi Jerry, David Femi James, Imeobong Jumbo Udom, Adeola Edward and Emeka Emmanuel Okorie.
They are standing trial on a five-count amended charge bordering on conspiracy, fraud and obtaining by false pretence.
At the hearing, prosecuting counsel, Ekele Iheanacho, SAN, informed the court that an amended charge had been filed and urged the court to read the counts to the defendants to enable them take their plea.
According to the prosecution, the defendants allegedly conspired between August 12, 2020 and March 2021 in Abuja to induce the Central Bank of Nigeria to confer financial benefit on BFI Group Corporation through false representations.
The EFCC further alleged that the company and its CEO attempted to obtain a Certificate of Capital Importation valued at €100,000,000 by falsely claiming the funds had been paid into a non-existent CBN account.
All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the plea, Justice Idris adjourned the case to a later date for further proceedings.
The court ordered that the fourth defendant be remanded in EFCC custody, while the remaining defendants were remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre pending the continuation of trial.
