Justice Ahmed Ibrahim Kala of Federal High Court, Lagos, has granted an application seeking the arrest of two men, Chigozie Obi and Joe Moses Ohenhen, accused of defrauding a businessman of N750 million in a foreign exchange transaction that allegedly took place in 2019.
The two men were said to said to currently residing in Spain.
Justice kala granted the application which was filed and moved by Barrister S. O. Ayodele, a legal officer from the Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos.
In praying the court to issue the bench warrant, Barrister Ayodele told the court that that application was pursuant to sections 113 and 114, of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Extradition Modification, Order 2014, and Federal High Court Extradition Procedure Rules 2018, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.
The police lawyer has specifically prayed that court for “an order of the Court to issue warrant of arrest against the defendants/respondents in other to secure their appearance in court. And for such order or other orders as the Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances of this case.”
The Police in charge marked FHC/L/MISC/738/2026, alleged that the two defendants obtained N750 million from one Okechukwu Unegbu under the pretext of converting the funds into euros but failed to deliver the foreign currency as promised.
According to an affidavit supporting the application, deposed to by one Inspector Adama Daniel of the INTERPOL Section, Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon Annex, Lagos, stated that the police received a petition alleging obtaining money by false pretence against the defendants.
He said the nominal complainant, Okechukwu Unegbu, subsequently made a statement confirming the allegations and supplied proof of payment to investigators.
The officer further informed the court that investigations revealed that the defendants were believed to be residing in Spain. He disclosed that the INTERPOL Section of the FCID was working with the Federal Ministry of Justice to facilitate mutual legal assistance and the possible repatriation of the suspects to Nigeria for prosecution.
The court was told that securing warrants of arrest was necessary to ensure the defendants’ appearance before the court and to advance extradition efforts.
In the substantive criminal charge, the two defendants are alleged of obtaining N750 million by false pretence, an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(c) and punishable under Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.
They also face a second count alleging the theft of the same sum, contrary to Section 383 and punishable under Section 390(9) of the Criminal Code Act.
The matter is expected to proceed as authorities intensify efforts to locate and return the defendants to Nigeria to answer the charges.
Justice kala after listening to the police lawyer’s submission ruled that “application granted as prayed”.
The judge subsequently adjourned the matter to September 24, for possible arrraignment of the two defendants