With his foray in the Nigerian downstream oil and gas sector, one aspect of his life, Chima Anyaso would hesitate to see on the pages of newspapers is his dealings in endemic acts of fraud.
According to a report going rounds on media space, oil baron, Chima Anyaso has been charged before a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) on a three-count charge bordering on forgery and N2,066,400 billion fraud.
Anyaso, who was charged alongside his company, Ceecon Energy Oil and Gas Limited, in charge sheet marked FHC/L/332c/18, was alleged to have committed the offence on or about February 21, 2011.
The oil marketer was alleged to have forged a letterhead paper of Total Nigeria Limited, dated February 21, 2011, with reference number AAC/CSO/OPS/, which he falsely presented to Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), to obtained credit facility in the sum of N2,066,400,000 billion, for delivery of 15 metric tonnes of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK).
He was also alleged to have on February 22, 2011, forged another letterhead paper of Total Nigeria Limited with reference number FEB/yjo.FIN22.11, dated February 22, 2011, which he presented to GTB for the payment of N2,066,400 billion, for the supply of 15 metric tonnes of ATK.
The AGF also alleged that the oil marketer fraudulently obtained the said sum from GTB as a credit facility.
The offences according to the prosecutor, Mr Julius I. Ajakaiye, a deputy director in the AGF’s office are contrary to and punishable sections 2(1)(c) and section 1(1)(a) of Advance Fee Fraud and other related offences, Cap. A6 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
The prosecutor had told the court the criminal charge against the oil marketer and his company arose from a petition by Guaranty Trust Bank, dated January 19, 2017, and signed by one Sarah Ugamah and Tolulope Fadipe on behalf of the Bank.
At the mention of the case before Justice Ayotunde Faji on Tuesday, Ajakaiye said the prosecution was still having difficulty serving the charge sheet on the defendants, who, he alleged, were evading services.
He therefore prayed for an order to serve the charge sheet on them by substituted means.
Justice Faji granted the prayer and directed that the charge sheet should be pasted on the wall of the defendants’ last known address – 16, Babatunde Dabiri Street, Lekki Phase 1 and Olaza 307/Suit 301, Third Wing, Worth Plaza, Adeola Odeku Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The judge adjourned the case till January 30, 2019 for report of service.