Accountant Charged With N10m Theft

Detectives from State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) Pant, Yaba, Lagos State, South-West Nigeria, have arraigned an accountant before an Ebute-Metta Magistrate’s court, Ebute-Metta, Lagos, on a three-count fraud related charges.

The accountant, Mr. Charles Ujah, who was arraigned by the detectives, was alleged to have collected N10million from one Samuel Obumneme under the pretence of being in a position to appoint him as a franchise dealer to sell BRT tickets.

Sources at the State CID informed P.M.NEWS that the accountant who claimed to be a P.H.D holder, with others now at large, had told the victim on 19 November, 2010 that they have some BRT buses which if he could pay the money, he would be appointed as a major distributor to sell tickets in those buses. This, they said, prompted the victim to pay the money into the account of the accountant. The accountant and his colleagues were alleged to have withdrawn the money and disappeared after the victim lodged in the money.

The accountant was arraigned on three count charges of conspiracy, fraud and stealing, which are punishable under section 516, 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap. C 17, Vol. 2, Laws of Lagos state of Nigeria, 2003.

He pleaded not guilty to the offences.

He was granted bail in the sum of N500,000 with two sureties in like sum by the presiding magistrate, Chief Magistrate Philip A. Ojo.

Ojo ordered that the sureties must show evidence of paying tax to Lagos State government and means of livelihood. He also ordered that their residential addresses must be verified.

The case has been adjourned till 25 May, 2011.

—Paul Sanusi