Two Chinese, Chen Guo Yao and Jin Jiaoni, as well as their company, Longshen Construction International Limited, have been arraigned before a Federal High Court, sitting in Lagos, South-West, Nigeria, for allegedly stealing the sum of £250,000; 60,000 Euros and RMB 280,000.
The foreigners and their company, on one hand, were arraigned by the Nigeria Police on a five-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence and stealing, and on the other hand, Mr. Chen Guo Yao, one of the Chinese, was arraigned on a count-charge of an attempt to commit suicide.
According to charges filed by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Legal / Prosecution Unit, Federal Criminal Investigation Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi-Lagos, B.O. Asogwa, the offences are contrary to Sections 8 (a) and 1 (c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the said Act as well as Sections 390, 421, 327 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
The foreigners were subsequently admitted to bail, while the Presiding Judge, Justice Abimbola Awogboro, adjourned the matter till March 30, for commencement of trial.
The five-count charge filed before the Court by the Assistant Commissioner of Police Legal / Prosecution Unit, Federal Criminal Investigation Department Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos, B.O. Asogwa, read as follows:
COUNT I:
That you CHEN GUO YAO, JIN JIAONI and LONGSHEN CONSTRUCTION INT’L LTD between January and December 2019 at No 23 Sule Abuka, off Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos in Lagos Judicial Division of this Honorable Court did conspire among yourselves to commit felony to wit Obtaining Money by False Pretence and Stealing and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 8(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the said Act.
COUNT 2:
That you CHEN GUO YAO, JIN JIAONI and LONGSHEN CONSTRUCTION INT’L LTD between January and December 2019 at No 23 Sule Abuka off Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos in Lagos Judicial Division of this Honorable Court with intent to defraud did by False Pretence obtain Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds ($250, 000), Sixty Thousand Euros (60000) and Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand RMB (280, 000) from XI Dimei to carry out and run a Hospitality / Hotel business and incorporate a Company in the name Furama Commercial Company Ltd, a representation you knew to be false as you fraudulently converted the said sums to your own use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(c) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act No. 14 of 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the said Act.
COUNT 3:
That you CHEN GUO YAO, JIN JIAONI and LONGSHEN CONSTRUCTION INT’L LTD between January and December 2019 at no 23 Sule Abuka off Opebi Road, Ikeja,Lagos in Lagos judicial Division of this Honorable Court did steal Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Pounds (250, 000), Sixty Thousand Euros (160000) and Two Hundred and Eighty Thousand RMB (280, 000) property of X1 Dimei given to you by her to carry out and run a Hospitality / Hotel business and incorporate a Company in the name Furama Commercial Company Ltd but you fraudulently converted the said sums to your own use and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
COUNT 4:
That you CHEN GUO YAO, JIN JIAONI and LONGSHEN CONSTRUCTION INT’L LTD between January and December 2019 at No 23 Sule Abuka off Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos in Lagos Judicial Division of this Honorable Court by means of fraudulent trick did induce XI Dimei to deliver to you the aforesaid sums for the purpose of carrying out and running a Hospitality / Hotel business and incorporate a Company in the name Furama Commercial Company Ltd which she could not have done if she knew that you intend to fraudulently convert the said sums to your own use and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 421 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.
COUNT 5:
That you CHEN GUO YAO ‘m’ in October, 2021 at No 23 Sule Abuka off Opebi Road, Ikeja, Lagos in Lagos Judicial Division of this Honorable Court did attempt to kill yourself or commit suicide and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 327 of the Criminal Code Act Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.