Pastor In Court Over N22.4m Fraud

By Dipo Olowookere

A man who claimed to be a pastor has been arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The suspect, Pastor Nimi West, was dragged before Justice U.N. Agumoh of the Federal High Court Port Harcourt, Rivers State alongside his company, Nimak & Company Nigeria Limited, on a four- count charge of obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of N22.4 million.

Pastor West is alleged to have received the said amount from one Emmanuel Dike at different times in 2013 for payment of a bungalow at D/Line, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

However, the complainant later discovered that the property had been sold to another person while his efforts to recover his money did not succeed.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when read to him.

In view of his plea, the prosecution counsel, C. A. Okoli applied for a date for the commencement of trial while the defence counsel C. B. Osita made an oral application for bail of the accused to enable him attend to his health.

Justice Agumoh granted the accused bail in the sum of N1 million and two sureties in like sum. One of the sureties must be a relation to the accused and must deposit the sum of N200,000 at the court registry while the second surety must be a civil servant on grade level 10 and above.

The sureties who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court will be verified by the bailiff and the prosecution.

The case was adjourned to 17th and 18th of January, 2017 for trial while the accused person is to be remanded in prison custody until he perfects his bail conditions.