Suspected Nigerian fraudster, Olalekan Ponle, also known as Woodberry, has pleaded not guilty to the fraud charges levelled against him after being arraigned before Magistrate Judge Jeffrey Cummings of the United States District Court in Illinois. Although the fraud charges against Mr Ponle had earlier been dismissed, the grand jury’s indictment which summed his offences into eight counts charge is still active.
Appearing before the court on Saturday July 25, the suspected Nigerian fraudster acknowledged the receipt of the indictment and entered a plea of not guilty to each count.
Documents obtained by Premium Times read; “Defendant appears in response to his arrest on 7/2/20. Attorney, Michael Nash, appears on behalf of the defendant. Defendant informed of the charges against him as well as of the possible sentence fine if convicted of those charges.”
“Arraignment proceedings held, Defendant acknowledges receipt of the Indictment, waives formal reading, and enters a plea of not guilty to each count in which he is named.” The status hearing to know if the case is set for trial has been slated for August 8, and it was further learnt that Mr Woodberry will remain in the custody of the United States Marshals Service.