An Ebute-Metta Chief Magistrate Court, Lagos, has remanded a lawyer, Eric Igwe Okolo, over alleged three million naira fraud.
Chief Magistrate A. O. Adedayo (Mrs) who presided over the matter, issued the remand order after the accused was arraigned by the men of State Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (SCIID) Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
The police through its prosecutor, Inspector Chinalu Uwadione, alleged that the lawyer who resides at Wole Boy Street Ajangbadi, committed the alleged offences on December 24, 2008.
To commit the alleged acts, Inspector Chinalu told the court that the lawyer with an intent to defraud, on December 24, 2008, obtained the sum of N1 million from one Emake Obiajulu on behalf of Chief Azubuike Ekwerekwu, under false pretence that he collected the money on the mandate of one Chinedu Onwumele.
Inspector Chinalu also told the court that the lawyer had on January 15, 2009, collected the sum of N2 million, from one Christopher Iloabanafo, on behalf of Chief Azubuike Ekwerekwu, under false pretence that he collected the money on the mandate of one Chinedu Onwumele.
The offences according the prosecutor are contravened sections 419 and 390(9) of the Criminal Code Cap. C-17, V. 11, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts of charge.
Following his not guilty plea, Chief Magistrate Adedayo, admitted him to bail in the sum of one million naira with two sureties in like sum.
The sureties, according to the Chief Magistrate, must show to court evidence of three years tax payment to the Lagos State government, with verifiable means of livelihood and must be residents of Lagos State.
Chief Magistrate Adedayo, ordered that the lawyer be remanded in the Ikoyi facility of Nigeria Correctional Services (NCS) pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
Subsequently the matter was adjourned till January 21, 2020, for mention
