Aliqea Group MD Dock Over Alleged N105 Million Fraud

Justice Olubusola Okunuga of the Lagos Special Offences Court, Ikeja, has remanded the Group Managing Director for Aliqea Group UAE, Dr Muhammad Bashir Shamsudeen Lamido at the Kirikiri Medium Correctional Centre, over allegedly defrauding another businessman of N105 million

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, brought a four-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain by false pretence and money laundering against the first defendant, Lamido, and his company, Aliqea Group UAE, contrary to Section 419 of the Criminal Code Act in Nigeria.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge brought against him by the EFCC.

The defence counsel, Peter Olomola, told the court to allow Lamido to remain in EFCC custody after the prosecution requested a trial date.

“We have responded to the bail options,” Olomola said.

The prosecution counsel, R. A. Abdulrasheed, objected to the defendant’s bail application and informed the court of a counter-affidavit opposing the grounds of bail.

Abdulrasheed asked the court to deny the bail application and argued that the defendant may not appear in court again” regardless of the subject of the defendant's health as stated by the prosecution.

Also speaking defence counsel Ogbeche, asked the court to consider his written address, and said that the defendant has a right to bail.”

 He maintained that the defendant would attend his court date as he has been receiving medical care at the EFCC facility and under the eye of the commission.

Okunuga adjourned the matter to December 13, 2023, to fix the trial date.