The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday arraigned
Christian Oyovweyho, alias Femi Adesina, before Justice Z. B. Abubakar
of the Federal High Court Kano on a two-count charge of obtaining by
false pretence.
The defendant allegedly impersonated the Special Adviser on Media and
Publicity to President Muhammad Buhari, Femi Adesina, and attempted to
obtain N300,000 from a professor of Economics at Bayero University Kano,
Dalhatu Galadanci.
According to the complainant, sometime in July 2016, the defendant
sent him a text message claiming to be Femi Adesina, S.A to the
president on Media and Publicity. The defendant fraudulently claimed to
be speaking on behalf of the president and that the name of the
professor has been forwarded for appointment in the presidency. The
complainant further stated that the defendant claimed to be searching
for a better office for him.
Subsequently, the defendant asked the professor to make payment of
N300,000 to facilitate his appointment to Nigeria Port Authority or
Nigerian Railway Cooperation and Rural Electrification. At that point,
the professor got suspicious and reported the matter to the commission.
After listening to the charge, the defendant pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution counsel Musa Isah requested a date for trial in view of the plea of defendant.
The counsel representing the defendant, T.M. Oyedema however brought a
motion for bail, praying the court to admit his client to bail pending
the hearing and determination of the case.
Justice Zainab granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000 and
two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a state or
federal government official not below grade level 8.
