Tobias Sylvester
Ifeanyi Agwuegbo, one of the 80 Nigerians arrested last month by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for alleged internet fraud, has been granted bail of $75,000 (N27.2 million).
Agwuegbo was amongst at least 80 Nigerians indicted by the F.B.I. in a televised announcement on August 22. Several of them have been arrested, while others still at large are being tracked down by the F.B.I. and Nigerian authorities.
The F.B.I said the operation that exposed Mr. Aguegbo and his alleged conspirators was coordinated amongst several state and federal law enforcement units in the U.S.
Mr Agwuegbo was found to have been involved in business e-mail compromise, although the syndicate was also nailed for conducting romance scams amongst others.
He was subsequently charged in Texas on three counts of conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to commit wire fraud and aggravated identity theft.
The preliminary bail application of Agwuegbo which was heard by an American magistrate, Peter Bray, on the 27th of August wasn’t granted because he was not immediately able to meet the requirements for his bail to be granted.
He was directed to make a payment of $75,000 (#27. 2 million). He was to provide at least $5000 deposit out of the whole money. He was also to provide a guarantor whose signature must be taken before he could be released.
He was remanded in custody for his inability to meet all these conditions immediately.
