EFCC arraign Oladipo Jimoh, Barma Energy Resources for alleged $60,334.59 theft

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Lagos Zonal Command, brought charges against Oladipo Jimoh and his firm, Barma Energy Resources Limited, for an alleged theft amounting to $60,334.59. The arraignment took place before Justice Mojisola Dada at the Special Offences Court in Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

Count one of the charges accused Oladipo Bankole Jimoh and Barma Energy Resources Limited of dishonestly converting $47,534.59, the property of Vale Blue Limited, between October 11, 2022, and July 2023 in Lagos, within the Ikeja Judicial Division. Count two stated a similar offense, accusing them of dishonestly converting $12,800, also the property of Vale Blue Limited, during the same period.

Jimoh pleaded “not guilty” to both charges. Following his plea, the prosecution counsel, G.C. Akaogu, requested a trial date to present evidence against the defendants and proposed that the defendant be remanded at a Correctional Centre.

The defense counsel, A.K. Akpabio, informed the court of the bail application filed on behalf of her clients, proposing that the defendant be remanded in EFCC custody until bail is perfected.

Justice Dada granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200 million, requiring two sureties in like sum who must be gainfully employed and possess N100 million each in their accounts or a valued landed property. While specifying that the defendant shall be remanded at the Correctional Centre pending the perfection of his bail, the judge noted that, due to security reasons and the absence of Correctional officers, the defendant shall temporarily be remanded in EFCC custody.

The trial is scheduled to commence on February 12, 2024.