The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has arraigned an Indian, Chandra Singh, before an Ikeja High Court over allegations of N816 million fraud.
Singh was arraigned on a 19-count-charge bordering on bribery and retention of stolen property.
EFCC alleged the defendant, on or before Jan. 1, 2021, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd, solicited indirectly to confer undue advantage for his company CVN Engineering ltd in order that he influence his employee to award the supply of costing N365 million to CVN Engineering Ltd.
The anti-graft agency also alleged that the defendant solicited indirectly to confer undue advantage for his company Neo Paints Nigeria Ltd in order that he influence his employee to award the supply of costing N451 million to Neo Paints Nigeria Ltd.
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The prosecution also submitted that the defendant dishonestly retained the sum of 4,150 USD belonging to African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The EFCC counsel, Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, who prayed to the court to remand the defendant at the correctional centre, following his not guilty plea, said the prosecutor is ready to open a trial.
On the defence part, his counsel, Mr Hassan Olanrewaju, informed the court of the bail application for the defendant and requested for a short adjournment to enable him prepare for the trial.
Subsequently, Justice Ismail Ijelu remanded the defendant in Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned till Nov. 30 for hearing of bail application and commencement of trial.
The offence was said to have violated Sections 328 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, and Section 83 of the criminal law of Lagos State 2011.
