Walter Wagbatsoma, Managing Director (MD) of Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd, who was extradited, Thursday, from Germany, and accused of conspiring to launder money in a multi-million pound fraud has appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court.
Mr. Wagbatsoma was detained in Germany on Monday, June 6 after Lincolnshire Police issued a European Arrest Warrant.
The 46-year-old was extradited to the UK on Thursday, June 30 when he was charged with conspiracy to money launder.
The Economic Crime Unit of Lincolnshire Police has been conducting a major investigation with the NHS involving offences of fraud and money laundering in excess of £12m.
The investigation commenced in September 2011 following a report of fraud involving Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
Since then the investigation has linked 20 other offences where the victims include other NHS Trusts, the States of Guernsey Government and other public bodies.
As a result of the investigation, 15 suspects were charged with offences of conspiracy to defraud, money laundering and conspiracy to money launder and all have since been indicted to stand trial.
Wagbatsoma was remanded in custody and sent to Lincoln Crown Court for August 1, 2016.
Also in Nigeria, Mr.Walter Wagbatsoma, alongside Adaoha Ugo-Ngadi, Babafemi Fakuade and Ontario Oil and Gas Ltd are facing a nine-count charge bordering on N1.9 billion fuel subsidy fraud.
