26th November, 2014
Henry Ojelu
A 77-year old community leader in Ogun state, western Nigeria, Alhaja Mulikat Shonekan, was today arraigned along with two other persons before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly defrauding a company, Kuta Stones Ltd of N65 million.
Alhaja Shonekan along with Martins Ogiogwa and her company Mujekanm Petroleum Nigeria Company Limited were alleged to have in September 2008 fraudulently obtained the sum of N65 million from Kuta Stones under the pretence of purchasing 90 acres of land located at Kemta Osun village in Odeda Local Government Area of Abeokuta, Ogun state for the company.
In the five-count charge of stealing and obtaining money by false pretence, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, alleged that the trio collected the money from one of the directors of Kuta Stones Ltd, Mr Danladi Verheijen for the purchase but failed to deliver the property to the company three years after.
Alhaja Shonekan was also alleged to have issued a dud GTBank cheque of N5 million through her company as repayment for the alleged N65 million she collected from the company.
The offences allegedly committed by the trio are punishable under sections 390 of the criminal code laws of Lagos State and sections 1(1) of the dishonoured cheque offences act, laws of the federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Alhaja Shonekan and her co-defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
She was granted bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties, one of who must be a blood relation resident in Lagos with three years tax clearance.
The second defendant was also granted bail in the sum of N10 million with two sureties, one of who must be his blood relation.
Presiding Judge, Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye ordered that the septuagenerian be remanded in EFCC custody while the second defenant be remanded in prisons custody.
The matter was adjourned till January 23 2015 for trial.