N740m scam trial: Witness claims she paid N58m, got excuses instead of returns

A prosecution witness in the ongoing trial of the Chief Executive Officer of Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-Concept Media Limited, Osabohein Alex Ologbose, and his wife, Hope Onome Oghelemu, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja how she allegedly lost N58.1 million in an investment scheme linked to the defendants.

The development emerged on June 22, 2026, during proceedings before Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

According to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the defendants and their companies are facing a seven-count charge bordering on alleged obtaining by false pretence, conversion of funds and money laundering involving N740 million.

The first prosecution witness, Chinyere Okoroafor, a civil servant, told the court that she became involved in the investment after being introduced to the business by Alice Ayeni Alade, whom she identified as a staff member of the Nigerian Export-Import Bank, NEXIM.

She stated that the investment was presented as a bitter kola export business targeting markets in China, Hong Kong and Indonesia.

“She introduced me to an investment business for the exportation of bitter-kola to China, Hong Kong and Indonesia, as we were having the discussion, she told me about the return on investment, which looked good,” she told the court.

Okoroafor said she trusted the proposal because it was linked to export activities and was introduced by someone she believed had knowledge of the sector.

According to her, she was informed that the business belonged to Ologbose and Oghelemu and was operated through Onome Global Market Resources Limited.

The witness told the court that investors were promised returns after an eight-week cycle involving sourcing, shipment and payment processing.

She disclosed that she invested a total of N58.1 million, which she paid into Alade’s bank account.

“I made a payment totaling N58.1 million into Alice Ayeni Alade’s GTB account,” she said.

Okoroafor further stated that when the agreed investment period elapsed, she did not receive either her returns or the principal sum.

“When it was time to send back the return on investment, Alade told me that she had not received payment from the second and third defendants,” she said.

The witness told the court that repeated explanations were given for the delay, including claims of flooding in China, fire incidents in Hong Kong and freight-related challenges.

“They kept pleading with me that I should be patient. They told me a lot of stories that there was flooding in China and fire in Hong Kong and even sometimes freight issues,” she said.

According to her, the defendants also participated in discussions aimed at reassuring investors that payments would be made.

She alleged that a meeting was later organised through church leaders, during which one of the defendants assured investors that payments would be settled within two weeks.

Okoroafor said she eventually reported the matter to the EFCC after concluding that the promised investment did not exist.

“We were told they use the bitter-kola for their pharmaceutical companies, but when it had taken months and nothing was coming out of it, I sent in a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission,” she told the court.

The witness further stated that Alade confirmed receiving her investment and allegedly showed evidence that the funds were transferred to the defendants.

“Alice Ayeni Alade confirmed the receipt of the sum of N58.1 million that I paid into her personal account with GTB and she also showed proof that all the money was sent to the first and third defendants,” she said.

She added that she was shown company documents, including Corporate Affairs Commission records and corporate profiles linked to Onome Global Market Resources Limited.

The witness told the court that she has neither received any return on the investment nor recovered the principal amount invested.

“Till date, I have not received any return on investment from the defendants. I have not equally received the principal sum that I invested,” she said.

Justice Akpan subsequently adjourned the matter until July 1, 2026, for cross-examination.