Businessman Arraigned In Lagos Court For Defrauding BDC Operators Of N93.6m
The police on Thursday, arraigned an Aba-based businessman, Kalu Ogbogu Dike, before the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly defrauding two Bureau De Change Operators, to the tune of $297, 000 United States Dollars, equivalent of N93.6m.
Dike was arraigned by the police on a three count charge of conspiracy, obtaining money under false pretence and stealing, before Justice Ayotunde Faji.
The police prosecutor, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Justin Enang, informed the court that the accused person and others at large, committed the offences on July 27, 2017, at about 5.20 p.m., at Airport Road, Lagos.
DSP Enang also told the court that the accused person collected the said sum from the duo of Alhaji Danladi Ibrahim and Alhaji Ismaila Isa, under the pretence that he will pay them the naira equivalent sum of N93, 600, 000 million.
The prosecutor told the court that upon receiving the money from the BDC Operators, the accused reneged on his promise and refused to pay the BDC operators.
He further claimed that the offences committed by the businessman are contrary to sections section 16, 390(9) of the criminal code Cap. C38, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004, and section 1(1)(b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences, and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
The accused person, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
After his plea was taken, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date, while he also urged the court to remand the accused person in prison custody.
But the lawyer to the accused person, Victor Chukwuma, pleaded with the court to admit his client to bail in the most liberal terms.
Victor told the court that his client has earlier been charged before a Magistrate Court in Igboosere on the same matter involving the same parties.
The lawyer also stated that he has been granted bail by the magistrate court, the conditions of which the accused person had met.
He therefore urged Justice Ayotunde Faji to consider his application.
In his ruling, Justice Faji granted the accused bail in the sum of N20 million with two sureties in like sum.
The judge also ordered that each of the sureties must show evidence of three years’ tax payment and must have sworn to an affidavit of means.
The judge further held that the sureties must show to the court, the title documents of their landed property which must be verified by the court’s Assistant Chief Registrar.
The matter has been adjourned till November, 28, for trial.
