EditorFinancial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has arraigned Michael Yusuf Michael and Martha Daniel Yusuf, both siblings, before Justice Hannnatu A.L Balogun on an eight count charge bordering on fraud, and obtaining by false pretence.
The defendants allegedly floated an unregistered medical and empowerment Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) through which they solicited for donations from members of the public on social media, to assist persons suffering from cancer but diverted the proceeds to their personal use.
Investigation revealed that Michael who poses as the CEO of the NGO, opened a Facebook page with 080133715151 as his contact number, and comedianmym76@gmail.com as email address.
On the 22nd of March, he posted a video of a woman suffering from breast cancer and sought contributions for her medical treatment, but the donations which ran into millions of Naira was diverted for personal use instead.
According to one of the charges, both siblings and other members of their gang yet to be caught like Ali Felix, Samuel Kabir Daniel, and Femi Obasaju conspired to obtain a total sum of N 55,879,379.76 ( Fifty five million, eight hundred and seventy nine thousand, three hundred and seventy naira, seventy six kobo), from the general public under the pretense that it was for the treatment of ailing persons and cancer patients.
However, Michael and Martha Yusuf have pleaded Not Guilty to the charges of fraud and other Fraud related offences contrary to Section 8 (a) of the 2006 Advance Fee Fraud Act, and punishable under Section 1of the same Act.
Despite the plea of the defence counsel, Frank Ateregeme, to admit his clients to bail, the Prosecution Counsel M.E Eimonye, urged the court to fix a date for the commencement of trial.
Justice Balogun refused Michael Yusuf bail on the grounds that he was yet to present to the court, sufficient materials that guarantee his not jumping bail or tampering with evidence and witnesses in the case.
The Court has therefore remanded Michael in the custody of Nigerian Correctional Service, Kaduna, while his sister, Martha, who is pregnant, was released to a surety of means.
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