Man arraigned for running fake lottery scheme

A 26-year-old man, Bassey Okhiria, has been arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly running a fake lottery scheme.

The EFCC said the suspects had tried to dupe unsuspecting members of the public through the scheme.

The EFCC said Okhiria was a member of a "deadly syndicate of fraudsters" operating from Ogun State.

It was gathered that Okhiria and some of his alleged gang members were arrested in the Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode and Sagamu areas of Ogun State by the EFCC.

Okhiria was arraigned on Wednesday before Justice O. A. Ipaye of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, by the EFCC on four counts bordering on possession of fraudulent document containing false information "contrary to sections 6, 8(b) and 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, Cap. A6, Law of the Federation of Nigeria.

The charges read in part, "That you, Bassey Okhiria (a.k.a Robert J. Holley) on or before March 3, 2014, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, had in your possession document wherein you falsely represented to one Dr. Katty Sander that you are a US Federal Government agent and that he has won $100,000 lottery from the government."

"That you, Bassey Okhiria (a.k.a Robert J. Holley), on or before March 3, 2014, within the Ikeja Judicial Division, with intent to defraud, had in your possession document wherein you falsely represented to one Mary Rustan, that you are a US Federal Government agent, and that he has won $100,000 lottery from the government."

When the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution counsel, Babatunde Shonoiki, subsequently asked for a trial date.

He also prayed the court to remand the defendant in prison custody.

But the defence counsel, M. Balogun, informed the court that he had filed an application for bail.

He also prayed the court to allow the defendant to continue to enjoy the terms of an administrative bail earlier granted him by the EFCC.

Ipaye ordered that the defendant be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the matter till March 23 and 24, 2015 for hearing of the pending bail application.