The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has formally arraigned popular Nigerian musician Felix Osagie, widely recognized by his stage name Felix Duke, before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja. The entertainer faces a four-count charge bordering on stealing, obtaining money under false pretenses, retention of proceeds from criminal activity, and the dissemination of false information.
Presiding over the case, Justice Ismail Ijelu heard the allegations leveled against the defendant, which center on the purported conversion of N21.25 million belonging to one Joseph Oguche. According to the anti-graft agency, the musician allegedly misappropriated the funds for his personal benefit. Furthermore, investigators assert that the defendant deliberately misled officials by claiming he possessed the legal authority to sell a parcel of land situated in the Ise area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, despite being fully aware that his assertions were fraudulent.
These actions are classified as violations of Sections 280 and 287 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2015, as well as Section 39 of the EFCC Establishment Act 2004. Upon the charges being read to him in open court, Mr. Duke entered a plea of not guilty.
Following the plea, the prosecution counsel, Abdulhamid Tukur, requested a trial date and moved for the defendant to be remanded in a correctional facility. Conversely, the defense counsel, Sunday Afolabi, applied for bail, requesting that his client be released on liberal terms or self-recognizance. The prosecution strongly opposed the bail request, citing that the defendant had previously jumped administrative bail granted by the commission in July 2026.
Justice Ijelu ultimately granted the defendant bail in the sum of N10 million, with a requirement for two sureties in the same amount. As part of the conditions, the court mandated that the musician surrender his international passport to the registrar and prohibited him from traveling abroad until the conclusion of the trial. The matter has been adjourned until December 16, with the court ordering that Felix Duke remain in custody until his bail conditions are fully satisfied.
Source: NaijaProbe