Pastor and three others lose over N18 billion to fraudster

A businesswoman Olaremi Dilureni, was on Tuesday remanded by an Ikeja Special Offences Court at Kirikiri Prisons for allegedly defrauding a popular Lagos pastor, Dr Anthony Rapu and three others of N23 million and 50 million dollars (N18 billion) in a business deal.Rapu, who is also a medical doctor, is the senior pastor of popular Lagos church, House of Freedom.

Our reporters reports that Dilureni, who traded under the name — Creadon Ventures — faces an eight-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences and stealing slammed on her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

She, however, denied the charge.

Mrs Fadeke Giwa, the lead prosecutor for the EFCC, said Dilureni committed the offence of conspiracy alongside four others who are now at large between March and May 2013.

He gave the names of the accomplices as Lola Anjorin, Tunde Oladunmaye, Oluremi Osubo and a company — Home Concepts.

“On April 16, 2013, Dilureni obtained N10 million from Rapu under the guise that the money was for investment in diesel supply business with a monthly interest rate of 6.5 per cent.

“On April 17, 2013 the defendant received another N10 million from Rapu for the business deal,”she said.

According to the prosecution, Dilureni defrauded two members of a popular Lagos family.

“On March 2013, Dilureni had fraudulently received the sum of 50million dollars belonging to Mrs Eyitope St. Matthew Daniel and converted the money to her use.

“On May 8, 2013, the defendant fraudulently received N320,000 from Mrs Nellie St. Matthew Daniel on the pretext that the money was for the diesel supply business.”

Giwa said the businesswoman also dishonestly received N3 million from another individual, Mr Adeojo Babasegun, for the business deal.

The offences violated Sections 1(1), (3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Offences Act 2006, Sections 5(2), 278,  285(1) and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2012.

After, Dilureni’s plea was taken, Giwa told the court that she had just received the summons for bail for the defendant from her lawyer and as a result, needed time to respond in writing.

Mr Tunde Kolawole, Dilureni’s defence counsel, however, in his submission asked the court not to remand his client in prison but rather at the custody of the EFCC.

“She is a nursing mother and she has been in the EFCC custody since Thursday and she was just brought to court today.”

Justice Sherifat Solebo, however, declined Kolawole’s request, saying she is no longer the responsibility of the EFCC because her plea has been taken.

The judge adjourned the case until March 14 for hearing of the bail application.