N1.2bn fraud: Spaniard seeks probe, trial of partner

Mr Jose Marin Lopez-Pepe, the manager of New International FPS SL, was last year arrested by the Interpol and transferred to the Imo State Police Command following a petition by his Nigerian partner and Managing Director of Hormipresa Nigeria Ltd, Benjamin Emenike alleging he diverted the contract sum for the supply of equipments to execute […]

Mr Jose Marin Lopez-Pepe, the manager of New International FPS SL, was last year arrested by the Interpol and transferred to the Imo State Police Command following a petition by his Nigerian partner and Managing Director of Hormipresa Nigeria Ltd, Benjamin Emenike alleging he diverted the contract sum for the supply of equipments to execute a project in the state.
In the petition by his lawyer Abiodun Oduwole, the Spaniard also wants the IGP to try his partner for libel and defamation under the Penal Code because of several publications he allegedly circulated on the internet against his person despite the on-going police investigation.
Lopez-Pepe explained that his company partnered Hormipresa as an agent on the N3.6 billion mall project which was awarded on November 8, 2011 but never got the 30 percent advance payment released by the Imo State government. He said while he was away in Spain to procure technical drawings and other equipments for the project, the agent failed to transfer the N1.2 billion.
While urging the police to trace the whereabouts of the alleged sum,  Lopez-Pepe said claims that he was on the run has demonised and cost him his goodwill and business capabilities in Nigeria and beyond.
The letter also refutes claim by the Imo State Ministry of Land that the payment was made in favour of Homipresa Ltd.