A Nigerian asylum-seeker who handled over £329,000 worth of forged cheques has been jailed for 30 months by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court heard that Adebayo Ogunkoya Demuren changed the names of cheque recipients and used false birth certificates to defraud Canada Life Bank. Demuren (26), of Leland Avenue, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to three counts of handling stolen cheques in 1998.
Det Garda Sharon Kennedy told Mr Fergal Foley, prosecuting, that Demuren first handled a cheque worth £291,794 which was addressed to the Revenue Commissioners. Demuren changed the name of the cheque recipient to "Roundabout Playcentre Ltd", but after a security check he received no money.
Demuren's female accomplice later posed as a Canada Life customer, and lodged two forged cheques worth £10,000 and £18,000 in two other Irish banks. Demuren withdrew £2,250 on the £10,000 cheque and later fled to Amsterdam before agreeing to return to Ireland for his arrest.
Det Garda Kennedy said Demuren had six previous convictions for fraud. She agreed with Mr Paul McDermott SC, defending, that he made efforts to pay back the £2,250.
Judge Elizabeth Dunne said Demuren was involved in a sophisticated forgery plot which was foiled by vigilant bank staff. i.