Date Published: 08/25/09

$500,000 Scam: Accused in messy bail bid

The ongoing trial before a Benin High Court of one Mr. Destiny Ebegua, the prime suspect who allegedly obtained the sum of $500,000 from an American lady, Liz Biennesser on charges of forgery, uttering and obtaining money by false pretences appears primed to rake up some legal storm. This is sequel to the accused’s determination to secure his freedom by all means. Earlier this year, he was denied bail by Justice J. Okungbowa who held that the accused failed to place sufficient materials before the court to warrant his admission to bail and consequently ordered for accelerated hearing.

Further hearing was adjourned to September 23 and 24, 2009. But in a move that smacks of abuse of court process, the accused rather than appeal the court’s ruling, approached another High Court with a bail application based on some phony medical report which was however challenged by the EFCC. At the hearing of the application on August 20, 2009, counsel to the commission, argued that the medical report was not admissible under the law as it was not certified.

But what is most worrisome is that the bail application is being considered by the new court even when the matter has not been officially transferred from Justice Okungbowa’s court. And there is palpable fear that the accused is likely to abscond if granted bail. He had in June 2008 jumped administrative bail after reneging on his promise to refund the money collected from the victim. He rather attempted to brow beat operatives of the commission by rushing to the High Court, also in Benin, to enforce his fundamental human rights, which matter he lost. Thereafter, he resorted to writing frivolous petitions against members of the team that investigated his case. Upon his re-arrest, he was arraigned on a 36 count charge bordering on obtaining money under false pretences before the Benin High Court.