Romance Scam - EFCC Arraigns Bamilove Kunle

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, 13 March, 2013 arraigned Bamiloye Kunle (a.k.a Mary Williams) before Justice M.L Abimbola of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan on a one count charge bordering on obtaining money by false pretence. He was alleged to have fraudulently obtained the sum of $640 (Six hundred and forty USD) from one Derrich Hass via Western Money Union Transfer.  The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The charge read: "that you Bamiloye Kunle sometime between January 2011 and December 2011 at Ogbomoso within the jurisdiction of this honourable court with intent to defraud, obtained the sum of $640.00 from Derrich Hass, via Western Union Money Transfer under the false pretence that you were a lady which representation you knew to be false."

The prosecution counsel, Gbolahan K. Latona told the court that he was served the bail application in court and would need more time to respond to the application. He therefore asked for a trial date and prayed the court to remand the suspect in prison custody.

However, defense counsel, Olusegun Jaiyeola sued for bail for his client, stressing that his offence was bailable.

Justice Abimbola however ruled that the fact before the court was not enough to grant the defendant bail.  He therefore asked that the suspect be remanded in Agodi prison, Ibadan. He adjourned the matter till March 20, 2013 for commencement of trial.