EFCC closes $1.6m fraud case against RCCG pastor

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC) has closed its case in the trial of an oil marketer and pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Ayodeji Oluokun, before Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo of a Special Offences Court, Ikeja.

The defendant and his company were first arraigned before the court on 21st January 2019, on two-counts charge bordering on the issuance of dud cheques to the tune of One Million, Six Hundred Thousand doll as ( $1.6m) only.

The charge was later reviewed to five-count charges on 30th July 2020 upon additional facts which emerged following further Investigation.

According to the EFCC, the defendant approached the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of GOSL Nigeria Limited, Emmanuel Ekpeyong, for loans of $1m and $666,666 to enable him to carry out operational activities in his company’s oil field in Bayelsa State and assured the complainant that he would repay the money within a year.

The defendant was alleged to have issued two post-dated Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited cheques on 26th June 2014, for the sums of $1m and $666,666, but when the cheques were presented for payment, they were returned due to insufficient funds in the account of the drawer.

The EFCC alleged that Oluokun diverted the sums to his personal use, including procuring a mausoleum at the Vaults and Garden.

EFCC has so far called seven witnesses to prove the allegations against the defendant as it closes the trial after cross-examination of the prosecution witnesses by the defence counsel, Dox Onyeke.

Subsequently, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo adjourned till 3rd December for Oluokun to open his defence.