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American Who Defrauded Three Nigerians Granted N76m Bail

Mr. Ramirez was accused of swindling one Mr. Godson Echejue of $545,000 by deceiving him to invest in his company.

Marco Ramirez, an American citizen who was charged on a sixteen-count charge before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, has been granted bail in the sum of N76 million, News Agency of Nigeria reported.

Mr. Ramirez was accused of swindling one Mr. Godson Echejue of $545,000 by deceiving him to invest in his company. He was also alleged to have received $10,000 from Abubakar Umar and another $10,000 from Olukayode Sodimu.

The suspect was first arraigned in court on June 22, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for obtaining $565,000 under false presences from the three Nigerians to get them American green card. Mr Ramirez was then remanded at the Kirikiri Prisons after his arraignment before Justice Josephine Oyefeso.

Mr. Ramirez was said to have committed the offenses between February 2013 and August 2013. 

He is also the Managing Director of three companies – USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group.

Delivering the judgment, Justice Josephine Oyefeso, on Monday, ruled that the defendant must pay the sum of $250,000 and provide two sureties, one of which must be a resident of Lagos, has landed property and must be a director of a reputable company in Lagos. He added that Mr. Ramirez must report to office of EFCC once in a week.

“The defendant is hereby granted $250,000 bail or its naira equivalent with two sureties in like sum. The current exchange rate should be put into consideration. One of the sureties should be resident in Lagos, a director of a reputable company and have landed property in Lagos State,” Justice Josephine said.

“The sureties must show evidence of source of livelihood and swear to an affidavit to show same. A copy of the ruling should be sent to all immigration agencies both land and air. The defendant must also report to Lagos or Abuja office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission weekly,” the judge added.

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