The decision on the bail application for businessman Lanre Smith, facing a $26,000 fraud charge, has been deferred until February 6 by a Federal High Court in Lagos. The court, presided over by Justice Ibrahim Kala, set the date after considering arguments from both defence and prosecution counsel.
Smith was arraigned by the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) of the Nigerian Police on January 30, facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, money laundering, and fraud, to which he pleaded not guilty.
During Monday’s proceedings, ASP Mike Enejere represented FCID, while Akin Apara represented the defendant. Apara presented an application for Smith’s bail, citing relevant legal provisions and urging the court to grant bail on lenient terms.
In response, the prosecution, through an 11-paragraph counter-affidavit, requested the court to deny bail to the defendant. The police alleged that Smith deceived an American citizen, Lindy Drake, into depositing $26,000 into a US Wells Fargo account under the name Wilok Ltd. Additionally, it is claimed that Smith obtained N10.1 million by falsely asserting he deposited the $26,000 into the Wells Fargo account.
The charges against Smith are said to contravene Sections 1(1)(a), 7, and 7(2)(b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud-Related Offences Act of 2006.
