A 19-year-old suspected internet fraudster, Ojosipe Adebayo, has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before Justice A.O Ipaye of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on a two- count -charge bordering on possession of a document containing false pretences and forgery.

The defendant is allegedly a member of a syndicate of internet fraudsters that specialize in using fake cheques and scam mails to defraud unsuspecting victims.

When the charges were read to the accused person, he pleaded not guilty.

One of the charges reads: “That you Ojosipe Adebayo (a.k.a. “Marty Jason” and “Candice”) on or about the 8th day of May, 2014 at Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division had in your possession a document in which you represented yourself to be a single lady called Candice from Trenton, New Jersey, United States who helps the needy to organise Charity concerts and also helps the homeless to get funds for Motherless Babies Homes which representations you knew or ought to have known to be false having regard to be circumstances of this case”.

In view of the plea of the defendant, the prosecution counsel, Ayokunle Fayanju prayed the court for a trial date and also for the defendant to be remanded in prison custody. However, defence counsel, Michael Asai asked for a short adjournment in order to file an application for bail. 

Justice Ipaye subsequently remanded the defendant in Kirikiri Maximum Prison and adjourned the matter to May 21, 2015, for hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.