The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday re-arraigned social media influencer Portia Emilia over alleged N110 million fraud before the Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos.
Emilia was re-arraigned alongside her company, Savanah Crest Investment Limited, on an amended five-count charge bordering on conspiracy to steal and retaining stolen property.
One of the counts reads, “Portia Anthony Emilia and Savanah Crest Investment Limited, sometime in 2018 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, stole and dishonestly converted to your own the sum of N40,000,000.00 (Forty million Naira only).”
Another count reads: “Portia Anthony Emilia and Savanah Crest Investment Limited, sometime in 2018 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, with intent to defraud, fraudulently obtained the sum of N20,000,000.00 (Twenty million Naira) from one Wendy Daniel.”
Emilia and her company pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
EFCC’s counsel F. Ofoma informed the court that the prosecution would close its case, having called two witnesses.
But Emilia’s counsel J.J. Amodu prayed the court for an adjournment to enable him to prepare for his case.
“We also pray this Honourable Court to, upon the re-arraignment of the defendant, allow her to continue to enjoy the bail earlier granted by the court,” he said.
Justice O.O. Abike-Fadipe adjourned the matter till June 22, 2023, for defence.
