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The Kaduna Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned Jande Michael Aondoaseer before Justice Darius Khobo of the State High Court in Kaduna State on a one-count charge of fraud. The charge involves an alleged N32.4 million obtained through false pretence.
Aondoaseer, identified with NIN 16972355458 and the managing director of Lutojan Nigeria Limited, is accused of defrauding Trapcco Ranch & Resort Limited between July and August 2024. The EFCC alleges that Aondoaseer falsely presented himself as a vendor for Olam Nigeria Limited, promising to supply 90 tons of cassava chips. Based on this misrepresentation, he allegedly received N32,400,000 (Thirty Two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira) from Trapcco Ranch & Resort Limited.
The charge reads: “That you, Jande Michael Aondoaseer (M) with NIN 16972355458, while being the managing director of Lutojan Nigeria Limited, between July and August, 2024 at Kaduna within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, obtained the total sum of N32,400,000.00 (Thirty Two Million, Four Hundred Thousand Naira, only) from one Trapcco Ranch & Resort Limited, when you falsely presented yourself as a vendor for Olam Nigeria Limited and in that assumed character, you claimed that you are capable of providing them with 90 tons of cassava chips, which pretence you knew to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1(3) of the same Act.”
During the court proceedings, Aondoaseer pleaded “not guilty” to the charge. Prosecution counsel, W.N. Igbadu, urged the court to set a trial date, while defence counsel, S.E. Makos, prayed for bail. Justice Khobo granted bail in the sum of N10 million, with one surety who must be a property owner within the court’s jurisdiction, certified by the Kaduna Geographic Information System (KADGIS). The surety is also required to deposit their passport with the court’s registry. The matter has been adjourned until December 2, 2025, for hearing, with the defendant remanded in a correctional centre pending the fulfillment of his bail conditions.
The case stems from a petition by Clique Legal Consult to the EFCC Kaduna Zonal Directorate on behalf of Trapcco Ranch & Resort Limited. The petition alleged that in August 2024, Aondoaseer approached their client to fund the supply of cassava chips, promising a N9,472,500 return on investment. After receiving N32.4 million, he allegedly became incommunicado, prompting the legal action.
This development marks another effort by the EFCC to combat financial crimes in the region, with the case set to unfold in the coming months.
