Alleged N1.3m fraud: Painter, 35 arraigned in court

Aliyu Abubakar, a 35-year-old painter was Monday arraigned in a Wuse Zone 6 Chief Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly defrauding a customer of N1.3 million.

Abubakar of Abaji by Pipe Line, FCT, Abuja, was charged with criminal breach of trust and cheating by the police.

The Prosecution Counsel, Kufreabasi Ebong, told the court that the complainant, Saleh Mustapha, reported the matter to the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command on March 5.

The prosecution counsel said the offence contravened the provisions of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

Ebong said the complainant entrusted the sum of N1.3 million to the defendant who claimed to be a supplier of beniseed.

The defendant according to him fraudulently converted the money to his personal use without the complainant’s consent.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The Magistrate, Linda Chidama has subsequently admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N400, 000 with one reasonable surety in like sum.

The Magistrate ordered that the surety must be a civil servant from grade level 08 and above or must be working with a reputable organization within the FCT.

She added that the evidence must be verified by the court’s registrar and deposited at the court registry.

She thereafter adjourned the matter until April 21 for hearing.

Leave a Reply