By Editor A prosecution witness on Monday narrated before the Federal High Court in Abuja how she allegedly lost N58.1 million in an investment scheme promoted by the Chief Executive Officer of Onome Global Market Resources Limited, Osabohein Alex Ologbose, and his wife, Hope Onome Oghelemu.
The witness, Chinyere Okoroafor, testified as the first prosecution witness (PW1) in the ongoing trial before Justice Ekerete Akpan.
The defendants, alongside their companies, Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a seven-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence, conversion of funds, and money laundering involving about N740 million.
At the commencement of proceedings, defence counsel, Peter Femi Joseph, sought an adjournment, stating that his team had only recently taken over the case and had not received all relevant documents from previous counsel.
However, the prosecution counsel, O.S. Ujam, opposed the request, and the court ordered the matter to proceed.
Led in evidence by the prosecution, Okoroafor, a civil servant, told the court that she was introduced to the investment opportunity by Alice Ayeni Alade, a staff member of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank).
According to her, Alade presented the business as an export venture involving bitter kola shipments to China, Hong Kong, and Indonesia for pharmaceutical purposes. She said the scheme promised attractive returns within eight weeks, a claim that convinced her to invest because of Alade’s banking background and knowledge of export business.
Okoroafor testified that she paid a total of N58.1 million into Alade’s Guaranty Trust Bank account, believing the funds would be used for the export business operated by the defendants through Onome Global Market Resources Limited.
She told the court that after the eight-week investment period elapsed, she was repeatedly given excuses for the delay in payment. These included alleged flooding in China, fire incidents in Hong Kong, and freight challenges.
She said the defendants also appealed for patience during WhatsApp group meetings and other engagements.
The witness further disclosed that at a meeting facilitated by pastors of Living Faith Church, Sunny-Ville Estate, Abuja, the third defendant allegedly pleaded with investors and promised repayment within two weeks.
Okoroafor said she later discovered there was no genuine investment arrangement and petitioned the EFCC.
She added that despite several assurances, she has neither received any return on investment nor recovered her principal sum.
Justice Akpan adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for cross-examination.
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