Defendant’s Absence Stalls N14m Fraud Trial

The absence of a defendant, Cecilia Chikaodili, on Friday stalled proceeding in a case of alleged N14 million fraud before a FCT High Court, Kubwa, Abuja.

Chikaodili, a resident of Lugbe, FCT, was to be arraigned by the Police on a five-count-charge, bordering on fraud and criminal breach of trust.

In the suit, Chikaodili, while working with Platinum Mortgage Bank, Abuja, sometime in 2013 to 2014, collected sums of money from customers under the pretence to help them process housing mortgage with the bank.
She, however, allegedly diverted the money for her personal use.

The prosecuting counsel, Mr Simon Lough, told the court that the defendant had been on an administrative bail.

Lough, however, explained that he had no idea why she was absent in court.

Justice Kezziah Ogbonnaya, gave a short date of adjournment to enable prosecution counsel reach out to the defendant’s counsel and ensure their presence on a new arraignment day.

Ogbonnaya adjourned the matter till April 12, for arraignment.