Alleged N1.7bn Fraud: 1st Nation Airways’ MD Rearraigned

Alleged N1.7bn Fraud: 1st Nation Airways’ MD Rearraigned

The Managing Director of First Nation Airways Limited, Mr. Kayode Odukoya, was on Monday, rearraigned before an Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), for allegedly obtaining credit facilities worth of N1.7 Billion from Polaris Bank through forgery.

The EFCC alleged that Odukoya forged memorandum of loss of Lagos State’s Certificate of Occupancy (CofO) to secure the loan facilities. 

The defendant was formerly arraigned before the court on a four count-charge along his companies, First Nation Airways Limited and Bellview Airlines Limited was re-arraigned on a seven count charges bothering on forgery, use of false document, perjury, stealing and obtaining credit by fraud.

He pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

Upon his not guilty plea, the prosecutor counsel, Mr. Nnaemeka Omewa, informed the court that the his agency would be closing its case having called five witnesses to prove the allegations.

However, counsel to the defendant, Mr. Edoka Onyeke prayed to court for the Airline boss to continue to enjoy his earlier bail granted. He also asked the court to recall three prosecutor’s witnesses who had testified earlier in the trial.

Subsequently, the presiding judge, Justice Mojisola Dada granted the application of the defence counsel and adjourned the case to February 15 to 18, 2021 for Odukoya to open his defence.

editor

See author's posts