Man Defrauds Flour Mills Of N46m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Monday, arraigned a businessman, Ola Lawal, who also bears Lawal Roland, before a Federal High Court, Lagos, for allegedly defrauded Flour Mill Plc of the sum of N46 million.

Lawal was arraigned before the court alongside his company, DCAN Oil and Gas Limited.

Lawal and his company were arraigned before Justice (Professor) Chuka Obiozor, on two counts charge of fraudulent transfer of the same sum from the Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, number 1002792889  domiciled in United Bank of Africa (UBA) Plc to the oil and gas account number  0036695765 domiciled in Union Bank Plc.

The EFCC prosecutor, Mr. M. k. Hussanj, told the court that the defendants committed the offence on June 24, 2019.

Hussain also told the court that the offences committed by the defendants are contrary to sections 2 and 15(2)(d) of Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (As Amended) and punishable under Section 15(2)(3) of the same Act.

The defendant however pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following his not guilty plea, the prosecutor asked the court for a trial date and also asked that the defendant be remanded in prison custody.

But lawyer to the defendant, Mr. Godwin Dick, while informed the court that he is not opposing the trial date as asked by the prosecutor, informed the court that he is ready to move his client’s bail application, which he said has been filed and served on the prosecution since August.

Godwin also told the court that he as just served with the prosecution’s counter-affidavit today.

He urged the court to take his client’s bail application, as bail is at the court’s discretion and that since the prosecution failed to file and serve its response before today.

Ruling on the submission of parties, Justice Obiozor, while chastised the prosecution for not respond to the application earlier that today, adjourned the matter till tomorrow, Tuesday, for hearing of the defendant’s bail application and commencement of his trial.

Justice Obiozor while ordered that the defendant be remanded at the EFCC’s custody till tomorrow, also ordered the prosecution to come with its witness(s) for trial of the matter.