The trial of Friday Audu, the suspected Nigerian Mastermind behind the activities of the landmark arrest of 792 persons, comprising 193 foreigners and 599 Nigerians in December 2024, for offences bordering on cryptocurrency investment fraud and romance scam, continued on Tuesday at the Lagos Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja.
After his re-arraignment yesterday on an amended 8-count charge of forgery, impersonation, possession of fraudulent documents, and computer-related fraud, trial judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi today granted the defendant bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties in like sum.
The court also ordered that the defendant deposit his passport with the court, while the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is to notify the Nigerian Immigration Service of the order within 48 hours.
After the ruling on bail, the EFCC swiftly called its fourth Prosecution Witness, a Bureau De Change operator, Baffale Yakubu who told the court that his signature was forged on the accounts opening package of Genting International Ltd, the company used in operating the financial fraud which led to the arrest of the 792 persons during a surprise operation tagged “Eagle Flush Operation” by EFCC operatives last year at their hideout in a seven-storey building called Big Leaf Building on Oyin Jolayemi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The suspects were apprehended in connection with a global cybercrime, alleged cryptocurrency investment, computer-related fraud, money laundering, and romance scam.
Justice Oshodi has adjourned the case until September 28, 29, and October 2, 2025, after the court’s annual vacation, for continuation of the trial.
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