EFCC sues Goodie Ibru, firms over alleged N1.8b fraud

THE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed an 11-count criminal charge totalling N1.8 billion against Goodie Minabo Ibru and three firms at the High Court of Lagos State.

The firms listed in the suit marked as LD/1711C/2015 are Associated Ventures International Limited, IHL Services Limited and Clearview Investment Limited.

According to the charge endorsed by counsel to the anti-graft agency, A.B.C. Ozioko, Ibru and the firms, between January and December, 2010, allegedly conspired amongst themselves to steal by fraudulently converting the sum of N867.7 million, property of Ikeja Hotels Plc. Ozioko said the offence is contrary to section 516 of the Criminal Code Cap C.17, Vol.11 Laws of Lagos State.

The accused were also charged with intent to defraud and fraudulently converting for personal use the same amount of money between the same period.

The prosecution said the act offends section 370 (7) (b) and 9 of the Criminal Code Cap. C17, Vol 11. Count three of the charge alleged the accused person and the firms between June and October 2010 with intent to defraud, fraudulently converted to their personal use the sum of N55.1million belonging to Ikeja Hotels.

The prosecution said the money was received through Starwood Limited who are managers of Sheraton Hotels, Ikeja. The accused were also charged with intent to defraud and fraudulently converting to their personal use the sum of 10,075 British Pounds, $13,373, N21.3 million, N120.5 million, 2, 400 Euros, 50,609 British Pounds and $20,603 at various dates between 2010 and 2015 through Starwood Limited as profit due to Ikeja Hotels Plc.

They will also answer the charge of converting N27.5million belonging to Ikeja Hotels Plc through Clearview Investment Limited. The prosecution said while some of the alleged offences violate section 370 (7) (b) and 9 of the Criminal Code Cap. C.17, vol 11, Laws of Lagos State, others offend section 278 (1) (b) and 285(8) and 9 (b) of the same law.