The jury in the $143 million fraud trial has viewed a bank security video allegedly showing two men trying to "fleece" an American businessman of $2 million. Prosecutors allege that the video shows a Louisiana businessman, Mr Terry Smith, being taken by two men to a bank in Terenure, Dublin, after being told that he could get $32 million of Nigerian government funds.
The two men were allegedly part of a five-man group which was trying to dupe Mr Smith into handing over $2 million. The jury also viewed a videotape allegedly showing two of the men going into a bank to buy a $10 bank draft which would later be used in an attempt to commit multimillion dollar frauds.
Mr Christian Obumneme, (35), Prussia Street, Dublin; Mr Tho mas O'Brien (61), Kent Walk, London; Mr Raymond Folkes (38), Dunstans Road, London; Mr Achike Okigbo (26) Blessing ton Street, Dublin, and Mr Obi ora Uzodike (29), Oakcourt Ave nue, Palmerston, have pleaded not guilty to trying to defraud German businessman Mr Heinz Althoff by forming a fraudulent company between February 1st, 1999, and March 3rd, 1999.
They are also charged that between the same dates they claimed they had bank drafts worth $32 million and sought $2 million from Mr Smith in exchange. Mr O'Brien, Mr Folkes, Mr Obumneme and Mr Uzodike also deny trying to obtain money by false pretences using documents purporting to be international bank drafts made out for multimillion dollar sums.