Kemisola Oye
JUSTICE Ismail Ijelu of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has ordered the remand of a businessman, Muhammed Usman at a correctional facility following his arraignment and not guilty plea over an alleged fraud.
The judge ordered the remand of Usman following his arraignment alongside his company, Masha Allah International Resources Limited by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a four-count charge.
His alleged offence borders on obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
The EFCC alleged that Muhammed Usman and Masha Allah International Resources Limited deceitfully induced and obtained various amounts from people and their companies.
The anti-graft agency alleged that on 22 August 2022 in Lagos, with intent to defraud, deceitfully induced one Abdullahi Dalhatu Isa of Yarinya & Co Farms Limited to pay the sum of N34,350,000.00 only into his Access Bank account on the understanding that he had in stock the equivalent foreign currency for exchange at the rate of 685 Naira per 1 US Dollar which pretence he knew was false.
EFCC also alleged that sometime in 2022 in Lagos with intent to defraud, induced one Alhaji Lawal A.A. of Three Brothers Rice Mill Limited to pay the total sum of N34,175,000.00 and N47,95,000.00 only into his Access Bank account on the understanding that he had in stock, the equivalent foreign currency for exchange at the rate of 683.5 Naira per 1 US Dollar which pretence he knew to be false.
He was also alleged to have obtained the sum of N67,600,000.00 through his Providus Bank account from one Suleiman Bashiru on the understanding that he had in stock the equivalent foreign currency of the said sum, for exchange at the rate of 675 Naira per 1 US Dollar which pretence he knew was false.
And also obtained $37,314.00 from one Faisan Haruna, on the understanding that he would give him the naira equivalent which pretence he knew was false.
He has however denied the allegation even as he pleaded not guilty to all the count charges.
Following his plea, EFCC counsel, Mr Ahmed Yerima prayed the court for a trial date to enable the prosecution to assemble its witnesses and for an order of the court to remand the defendant in a custodial facility.
Responding to his submission, the defendant’s counsel, Mr. J.H. Bashir urged the court to remand the defendant in EFCC custody. He informed that he was processing to file his bail application before the court with the same to be served on the prosecution soon.
The judge, thereafter, ordered the defendant to be remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Facility and adjourned the case to 19 June 2023 for trial.
Eighteen-Eleven Media