A United States court has dismissed the fraud case against Olalekan Ponle a.k.a Mr Woodberry who was apprehended alongside Ramon Abbas a.k.a Hushpuppi.
It should be recalled that Woodberry was facing the allegation of tricking a Chicago company into wiring transfers totalling $15.2 million. Prosecutors revealed that companies based in Michigan, Iowa, Kansas, New York and California were also victims of the fraud.
Woodberry was arrested in the United Arab Emirate on June 10 after operatives of the Dubai crime unit raided his apartment and was subsequently extradited to the U.S. on July 2.
Though he was indicted by a grand jury on an eight-count charge of wire fraud, the government of United States recently filed a motion through its attorney John R. Lausch to demand for the dismissal of the case against him.
Lausch said: “Counsel for the government has spoken with counsel for the defendant and defendant’s counsel has no objection to this motion. Respectfully submitted.”
Lausch added that the request was made in accordance with Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure 48, which states that the government may, with leave of court dismiss an indictment, information, or complaint.
A court order issued by Judge Robert W. Gettleman confirmed that the government’s motion to dismiss complaint without prejudice was granted.
Mr Gettleman said: “Without objection the complaint against defendant Ponle is dismissed without prejudice. Motion presentment hearing set for 7/23/2020 is stricken.”
