Gardai tell fraud trial of suspect documents

GARDAI found a $40.2 million bank draft behind a bedroom curtain in a Co Meath home, a fraud trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal…

GARDAI found a $40.2 million bank draft behind a bedroom curtain in a Co Meath home, a fraud trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has been told.

Sgt Noel Crotty said the raid at The Glebe, Hunters Row, Clonee, also revealed another bank draft with the same serial number.

He said he also found a company stamp for an organisation called World Wide Clearing and Finance, which was being investigated by the Garda Bureau of Fraud Investigation.

The house was allegedly the home of Mr Christian Obumneme, one of five men on trial for fraud involving over $143 million in forged bank drafts.

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Sgt Crotty told the jury the $40.2 million cheque was made out to "Jan Otto", while the other bank draft was made out to "Plasondo Lda Lisboa" and had the words "confidential payment" written on the back.

Sgt Crotty agreed with Mr John Phelan SC, for Mr Obumneme, that he did not establish who occupied the bedroom where the bank drafts were found.

Det Sgt Dennis O'Leary said he found a South African passport and identification card made out in the name of "Oscar Prince Naduka" in the hot press of the house. The prosecution alleges both documents displayed Mr Obumeneme's photograph.

The accused are: Mr Christian Obumneme (35), of Prussia Street, Dublin; Mr Thomas Anthony O'Brien (61) and Mr Raymond Folkes (38), of London; Mr Achike Okigbo (26), of Blessington Street, Dublin; and Mr Obiora Uzodike (29), of Oakcourt Avenue, Palmerstown.

They have pleaded not guilty to trying to defraud a retired German businessman, Mr Heinz Althoff, by forming a fraudulent company. The trial continues.