Alleged $1.4m fraud: US ex-convict opens his defence, denies charge

By Adenike Ayodele

A U.S.  ex-convict, Kolawole Erinle, charged with alleged 1.4 million dollars internet fraud on Monday denied  the charges before an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

Erinle, a real estate businessman and general contractor for Lafarge Cement told the court that he did not conspire with one Edward Dada ( still  at large) to defraud Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences, (KCUMB) of $1.4 million.

Erinle, while being less in evidence by his counsel, Mr Pedro Lawal, SAN,  said that he got in contact with Dada through through one Seun Adegoke, sometimes in December 2018.

According to him, Dada  who resides in Texas had dual citizen of the U.S. and Nigeria.

He said: “I introduced myself to Dada at the party, informed him that I am into real estate and needed an investor  to invest in my real estate that I was about to start in Shagamu.

“Dada told me he was interested in doing business in Nigeria and we decided to discuss further about the real estate business after the party.

“Three day’s later,  we met at a hotel and discussed in full detail and he requested for copies of the land document  for verification which I gave him.

“After the first meeting with Mr Dada,  we went for verification  of documents and land. He gave me both his Nigerian and International numbers which I wrote on  a business card.

“On March  2019, I received a call from Dada asking me to provide him with my company account number to receive 1. 4 million dollars which I did,”

The defendant said that he withdrew 800,000 dollars from the money through his company account for the construction of a perimeter fence to secure a 100 acres of land be brought from the family of one Taiwo and Kehinde Ogunyena.

He said that part of the money was used for his personal commitment and that of his wife’s and mother’s.

He said when Dada returned back to Nigeria, he demanded for the full refund of  the money which he paid back because Dada found out that there was an appeal filed against a judgment on the land.

Erinle said he received a call from his company lawyer sometime in December 2021 informing him that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had invited him for questioning.

“EFCC accused me of conspiring with Dada to defraud the university which is very untrue.

“It is true I was jailed seven months in the US in a plea bargain agreement and I have learned my lessons because I was framed up by my friends.

“There is no way I can commit what EFCC is charging me of before this court because I have learned my lessons in a hard way my lord.

“I did not conspire with Mr Edward or anyone to defraud Kansas University.

“After my conviction in the US and I served my sentencing, I made a promise to my wife to be upright in any business I am going to engage in.

“This is the reason  I came back to Nigeria  to continue the real estate business and also insist on any investor that the funds must come from their accounts.

“Concerning the email compromise, I have not been shown  any email and I do not know anything about any email compromise,” he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Erinle is standing trial  alongside his firm, Rinde-Remdex Nigeria Ltd on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of criminal conduct, and obtaining money under false pretence to the tune of 1.4 million dollars.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The anti-graft agency alleged that the defendant, his company  and one  Edward Dada (still at large) on May 3, 2019 in Lagos retained the control of the sum of $1,4 million in his Access Bank account which were proceeds of various internet and cybercrimes.

Justice Ramon Oshodi adjourned the case until May  16 for continuation of defence.

(NAN)