The couple, alongside their companies, Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for alleged offences bordering on obtaining by false pretence, conversion of funds, and money laundering involving N740 million.
The defendants are facing a seven-count charge before Ekerete Akpan (Justice).
Chinyere Okoroafor, the first prosecution witness, a civil servant, told the court that she was introduced to the investment opportunity by one Alice Ayeni Alade, whom she identified as a staff member of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank.
According to her testimony, Alade presented the scheme as a lucrative export business involving bitter kola shipments to China, Hong Kong and Indonesia, where the produce was allegedly used for pharmaceutical purposes.
She said the attractive returns promised by the investment, coupled with Alade’s position at NEXIM Bank and the export-focused nature of the business, convinced her to participate.
