Ponzi Scheme Operator Docked For Allegedly Defrauding Profs., MTN Staff Cooperative, Army Col, Others Of N1.2B
A Ponzi scheme operator, Michael Ukiye Diongoli, who allegedly duped a
retired Army Colonel, a Professor and some others of the sum of N1.
286, 580, 656 billion, was today arraigned before Justice Ambrose
Lewis-Allagoa of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Michael Ukiye Diongoli, was arraigned by operatives of the Force
Criminal Investigation Department (Force CID), Alagbon-Ikoyi, Lagos,
on an eight-count charge of Conspiracy, obtaining by false pretence,
and fraud.
Ukiye was arraigned on the alleged crimes alongside his two firms,
UK-Don Group and UK-Dion Investment Limited.
He was accused of defrauding his victims, under false pretence of
multiple Returns On Investment (ROI) within the period of six months
to one year of their investment.
Some of the alleged fraud victims includes: Dr. Basil Onugu, Prof.
Onyekachi Green Nwankwo, his wife, Elizabeth U. Onyekachi Green,
Nnenna Ikubogh, Securities Ltd, Uchenna Nwankwo, Chinyere Oguejiofor,
Sekoni A. Adetokunmo, Catholic Charismatic Renewal, Prof. Iloeje
Casmir, Lillian Ofondu, Suliaman Mamman, MTN Employer Cooperative,
Gabriel Andrew, Obieme Adaku K., Col. Chukwu Terngu (Rtd) and others.
The Prosecutor, Mrs. Ezema Susan, a Chief Superintendent of Police
(CSP) while arraigning the defendant today, told the court that the
defendants allegedly committed the offences within December 2021and
April 2022.
The Prosecutor told the court that the offences contravened Sections 8
(a), 1(1) (a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related
Offences Act, 2006 and Punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.
The defendant, denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following his not guilty plea, his counsel, Mr. Olalekan Ojo (SAN) who
led other lawyers, informed the court that his client’s bail
application has been filed and same has been served on the prosecutor.
Responding to the bail application, the Prosecutor, Mrs. Ezema said
although, the defendant’s lawyer has informed her that the bail
summons has been served on the Prosecution, but the she is yet to
receive it.
She therefore pleaded with the court for a short adjournment so that
she can get a copy of the bail summons and see if she will be
responding to court.
Meanwhile, Justice Lewis-Allagoa, while ordering that the defendant be
remanded in the custody of the prosecution,( police) adjourned till
Tuesday, for hearing of the bail application.
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