EFCC arraigns Nigerian bizman, Abel Lesi Goka of PiedmontOil for $350,000 oil fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday arraigned Abel Lesi Goka for offences bordering on fraud.

Goka was docked before Justice Modupe Osho Adebiyi of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Gudu, Abuja.

The businessman is the owner of Piedmont Technologies Ltd and Chairman/CEO – PiedmontOil.

He was arraigned alongside, Caminus Nwabineli of Kambelly Logistics (at large) and Ibrahim Aminu (at large) on 23 counts of forgery, conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence and internet fraud.

The offences run contrary to Section 8 (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

Count one of the charge reads: “That you, Abel Lesi Goka, Caminus Tochukwu Nwabineli of Kambelly Logistics Services (at large) and Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu (at large) sometime between 12th December, 2017 and 15th December 2017 at Abuja…did conspire to do an illegal act to wit; obtained the gross sum of $350,000.00 from one Mariam Eyitayo on behalf of HAMCHID NIGERIA LIMITED under the false pretense that the said monies represent payment to facilitate chartering of vessels; SCF SAMOTLOR and MT COSLUCKY LAKE to transport a total of 3,000,000 barrels of Bonny Light Crude Oil (BLCO) from Nigeria to Ghana waters.”

The defendant pleaded not guilty when the charges were read. EFCC counsel, Benjamin Lawan Manji asked the court to remand him in prison custody.

Justice Modupe Osho Adebiyi admitted Goka to N50million bail with two sureties who must submit their tax clearance to the court.

One surety must be a civil servant of not less than Grade Level 14. The sureties must be verified by court officials and the prosecuting counsel.

The judge gave Goka three days to perfect the bail conditions and adjourned until November 4, 2021 considering his ill-health.