EFCC arraigns Sierra Leonean over alleged $190,324 property fraud in Lagos

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Sierra Leonean Favour Kamara over the alleged diversion of $190,324 sent by a 70-year-old woman to purchase and renovate a property in Lagos.

Mr Kamara appeared before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Tuesday, charged with alleged stealing and fraudulent conversion. EFCC made this known in a statement shared with PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday.

The EFCC stated that the petitioner, Henrietta Vandi, a United States-based Sierra Leonean, alleged that she met Mr Kamara during a visit to the Synagogue Church of All Nations between 2019 and 2020.

The statement noted that she explained that Mr Kamara later encouraged her to invest in Nigeria.

According to the commission, Ms Vandi sent money through Ria, Western Union, MoneyGram and cash transfers into Mr Kamara’s Access Bank account to buy and renovate a property at 30 Gbenga Ogunleye/Atobatele Street, Cele Bus Stop, Araromi, Alimosho, Lagos.

The EFCC alleged that the property was purchased in Mr Kamara’s name and that he lived there and collected rent from tenants.

One of the charges accused him of dishonestly converting $190,324 belonging to Ms Vandi to his personal use between August 2021 and February 2025. The charge cites sections 278(1)(b) and 285(9) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

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Mr Kamara pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Prosecution lawyer, Nnaemeka Omewa, subsequently asked the court to fix a trial date and remand the defendant in a correctional centre.

In his ruling, the trial judge O. A. Okunuga adjourned the case until 29 October. The judge ordered that Mr Kamara be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.