EFCC Nab Members Of An Online Scam

• The defendants pleaded not guilty to charges brought against them.

 

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Kaduna Zonal Command has arraigned a certain Michael Yusuf Michael and Martha Daniel Yusuf, both siblings, before Justice Hannnatu A.L Balogun on an eight count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence.

The defendants allegedly floated an unregistered medical and empowerment Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) through which they solicited for donations from members of the public on social media, supposedly to assist persons suffering from cancer but diverted the proceeds to their personal use.

On the 22nd March, 2021 he posted a video of a woman suffering from breast cancer and begged for donations for her medical treatment from kind-hearted persons through one of their bank accounts with the account name, MYM123care.

Contributions into the account either through bank transfers or cash lodgments ran into millions of Naira. The defendants instead of using the money to assist the cancer patient, allegedly diverted the funds.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to charges brought against them. Consequently, the Prosecution Counsel M.E Eimonye urged the court to fix a date for trial to commence. But the defence counsel, Frank Ateregeme urged the court to admit his clients to bail.

Justice Balogun however refused the 1st defendant (Micheal) bail on the grounds that he had not placed sufficient materials before the court to guarantee that he will not jump bail or tamper with the evidence and witnesses in the case, as several of his accomplices are still at large.

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The Court ordered him remanded in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Service, Kaduna, while the 2nd defendant, Martha, who is pregnant, was released to a surety of mea. 

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