Court grants request to arrest fugitive over alleged N64m fraud

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday permitted the Inspector-General of Police to arrest a suspect, Olusanya Sunday Okusanya, a fugitive believed to have fled to the United Kingdom, after an alleged N64m fraud.

Justice Yellim Bogoro approved the IGP’s motion for Okusanya’s arrest, following an ex parte application filed and moved by the police lawyer, S. O. Ayodele.

Okusanya allegedly absconded to the UK after defrauding one Helen Isichei of N64m, under false pretences.

During the court hearing, Ayodele argued that the motion ex parte was pursuant to Sections 113 and 114 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Extradition (Modification) Order 2014, the Federal High Court Extradition Procedure Rules 2015, and the court’s inherent jurisdiction

Ayodele said the application was supported by a charge sheet detailing the counts, a seven-paragraph affidavit, a written address, and several exhibits.

Justice Bogoro after considering Ayodele’s arguments, ruled that the application had merit and granted the request.

The judge adjourned the case until December 10, 2024, for a status report and the potential arraignment of the suspect.

In an affidavit submitted in support of the application, Suleiman Ilu, a Superintendent of Police, stated that the Deputy-Inspector General of Police, Force CID, Area 10, Abuja, had received a petition calling for the involvement of the INTERPOL department.

He said, “One Helen Nkeihuka Isichie who is the nominal complainant made a statement to the police confirming the contents of the petition. And that the INTERPOL section of the Force had investigated this matter and found the defendant/respondent culpable.

“That the defendant/respondent is believed to have absconded to the United Kingdom after he committed the alleged offence.

“And that the INTERPOL Section of the Force CID Annex, Alagbon is working in conjunction with the Ministry of Justice to facilitate mutual legal assistance to repatriate the defendant/respondent to enable him to stand trial.

“It will be in the interest of justice to grant this application to enable the applicant to arrest the defendant/respondent and ensure his attendance in court.”

He also revealed that Helen Isichei, the complainant, had confirmed the details of her petition in a statement to the police.

Investigations by the INTERPOL section of the Force CID had found Okusanya culpable.

The pending charges against Okusanya include allegations that, in 2022, he fraudulently obtained N64m from Isichei in Lagos, and committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.

He was also accused of stealing the same amount, contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap. C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.