Adepoju Sunday, alias SSG, the proprietor of the De Rock Club in Ibadan, was arraigned before Judge Uche Agomoh of the Oyo State-based Federal High Court on March 29.
Adepoju was apprehended on August 31, 2022, together with 21 other alleged internet fraudsters, according to Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) spokesperson Wilson Uwajuren, after an intelligence-driven operation conducted out by agents of its Ibadan Zonal Command.
He was found in possession of a 2020 Range Rover HSE Sports Utility Vehicle, an HP laptop, an iPhone 13 Pro Max, and other items. According to the anti-graft organization, the defendant was charged twice for allegedly participating in cybercrime and receiving N31,821,000 under false pretenses.
Eight counts of the initial charge, which dealt with identity theft, were related to collecting COVID-19 and unemployment benefits from the American government, while the remaining 19 counts were based on the transfer of criminal proceeds to one Owoade David.
Investigations showed that Adepoju, 36, who claimed to have graduated with a degree in industrial chemistry from the Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ago Iwoye, Osun State, had allegedly defrauded the American government and unwitting American citizens of thousands of dollars during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After hearing the accusations against him, the defendant entered a “not guilty” plea. As a result, the prosecution’s attorney, Mabas Mabur, requested that the suspect be held in custody until the case was resolved and that the court set a date for the trial.
Olaniyi George, the defendant’s attorney, informed the court.
