The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Thursday re-arraigned an American, Marco Ramirez for allegedly defrauding 3 Nigerians of $1.2million to secure green cards for them.
It was gathered that Ramirez was re-arraigned before Justice Mojisola Dada on an amended 12-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining under false pretence.
Ramirez was arraigned alongside his companies – USA Now LLC; Eagle Ford Instalodge Group LP and USA Now Capital Group.
The EFCC said that Ramirez committed the offences between February 2013 and August 2013 in Lagos.
Ramirez’s victims include Godson Echejue, Mr Abubakar Umar and Mr Olukayode Sodimu.
The offences contravene Section 1 (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, No. 14 of 2006.
The defence counsel, Mr Ademola Adefolaju, pleaded that Ramirez should be allowed to continue as his bail earlier granted by Justice Oyefeso whole not objecting to setting of a trial date.
The judge asked if the defendant had honored his previous bail terms. Adefolaju said he had and that he had kept his visits to the EFCC as directed. This prompted the judge to grant his request.
Following Adefolaju’s submission, Dada said:
“having not shown any breach of the bail terms granted by my brother judge, the defendant is hereby allowed to continue with the previous terms”.
The judge adjourned the case until Oct. 7, 8, 9 and 10 for trial.