A Lagos State Special Offences Court has fixed March 24 to hear the bail application of businesswoman Titilayo Eboh, who is standing trial over an alleged N1.8 billion fraud.
Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the matter after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arraigned the defendant on a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence, and stealing.
The court also scheduled May 4 for the commencement of the trial.
Eboh was docked alongside Chayomi Aluminum Ltd and one Abubakar Funtua, who is said to be at large. She pleaded not guilty to the charges.
At the proceedings, EFCC counsel, Mr. Nnaemeka Omenwa, asked the court to remand the defendant pending trial.
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He informed the court that a bail application had been forwarded to him from a related matter before another judge and sought clarification from the defence on which application to respond to.
Defence counsel, Mr. Emefo Etudo, however, distanced himself from the earlier proceedings and requested time to properly file and serve the bail application in the present case.
He also urged the court to grant accelerated hearing dates for the trial.
The anti-graft agency alleged that between December 2020 and January 2021, the defendant obtained N1.8 billion from two businessmen under the pretext of exchanging the sum for its United States dollar equivalent at an agreed rate.
The prosecution further claimed that part of the funds was dishonestly converted to personal use.
The alleged offences are said to contravene provisions of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006, and the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
