Businessman, cleric face N9.5m fraud charge
NAN-H-12
Cleric
By Moji Eniola
Ikeja, March 1, 2018 (NAN) A businessman, Olufemi Adungbe and a Christian cleric, Solomon Durodola, on Thursday appeared at an Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos over alleged N9.5 million fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had slammed a two-count charge of stealing and issuance of dud cheque on Adungbe alongside his company, Winnard Ltd.
Durodola and his company — Soladex Ventures Ltd — are standing trial for use of premises for unlawful purposes.
They, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mrs Bilikisu Buhari, the EFCC prosecutor, said Adungbe committed the offence of stealing on Sep. 28, 2012, in Ikeja.
“The first defendant (Adungbe) and his company, Winnard Ltd, dishonestly converted to their use N400,000 belonging to Mr Eric Igbokwe.
“On May 6, 2013, Adungbe and his company, with an intent to commit fraud, issued a dud cheque (First Bank) with no. PO24330036 to Mr B.C. Igwe for N9. 1million,” she told the court.
Buhari, throwing some light on the role of the second defendant, said “Durodola and his company, Soladex Ventures Ltd, allowed the use of their premises located at Plot B, CAC Street, Baba-Oba Bus Stop, Egbeda on Idimu Road, Lagos, to perpetuate the N400,000 fraud against Igbokwe.”
The offences violated Sections 1(1)(b), 2(b) of the Dishonoured Cheques Act 2004, Section 3 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2006, and Sections 278(1), (b), 285 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
After the defendants had taken their pleas, counsel to Durodola, Mr M. Nene-Josiah, via a bail summons dated Feb. 20, asked the court to grant him bail on self-recognizance as a Christian cleric.
He said: “The only allegation against the second defendant is on count three which states that he allowed his property to be used for theft of N400, 000.
“The second defendant is a respected Reverend or cleric in his church; I will like to urge Your Lordship to grant him bail on self-recognizance.”
Justice Sherifat Solebo, refusing the request for bail on self-recognizance, granted Durodola a bail of N200,000 with a surety in like sum.
Counsel to Adungbe, the first defendant, Mr Deji Fashesi, told the court that he had just served the EFCC the summons for his bail in the courtroom.
The EFCC, however, requested for time from the court, to respond to the bail summons.
Justice Solebo ordered that the businessman should remain in the custody of the anti-graft commission and adjourned the case until March 12 for trial. (NAN)
MAE/FLP/DA
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Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Dele Akinsola