In a recent development, the police have brought charges against a Bureau De Change Operator, Atoyebi Bamidele, also known as Bam-Bam, in the Federal High Court in Lagos. Bamidele, operating under the name Prosocial International Limited, is facing three counts of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretense, and theft, as alleged by the police.
The charges stem from a petition filed by traders in Alaba Market, who, through their counsel, Henry Mejulu, reported the alleged fraudulent activities of Bamidele to the police. The police prosecutor, S. O. Ayodele, informed the court that the defendant had conspired with others (who are currently at large) to commit the offenses.
According to Ayodele, between December 2022 and January 2023, Bamidele purportedly obtained a total sum of N157,206,000 from the traders under the false pretense of helping them acquire the equivalent amount in United States dollars. The money was allegedly collected from a representative of the traders, Mrs. Priscilla Oyiowo, through one Obinna Ozuah.
The prosecution further asserted that the defendant diverted the funds for personal use. These actions are said to be in violation of Sections 8(a) and 1(1)(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, as well as Section 1(3), 383 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C 38, and 390(9) of the Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
During the court proceedings, Bamidele pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against him. Consequently, the prosecutor requested that the defendant be remanded at the Nigerian Correctional Service Centre pending the resolution of the case.
However, Bamidele’s lawyer, E. A. Alafin, informed the court that he had filed a bail application on behalf of his client, which had been served to the prosecution. He requested the court to grant bail to the defendant under the most liberal terms.
The prosecutor objected to the bail application, citing the need to review it and file a response accordingly. As a result, Justice Akintayo Aluko adjourned the case until October 5, 2023, for the hearing of the defendant’s bail application. The judge also ordered that Bamidele be remanded in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Service until the adjourned date.