NAN-H-10
Fraud
Makurdi, Dec. 20, 2016 (NAN) Two civil servants were on Tuesday remanded in prison by a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on charges of criminal conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence.
When the case came up for mention in court, plea of the defendants was not taken for want of jurisdiction.
The police prosecutor, Insp. Abraham Akule, told the court that the defendants, Samson Abeh, an accountant and Christina Mhambe, a Director of Finance were staffers of Benue Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Akule said a letter of complaint was written to the Commissioner of Police, Benue Command, dated Sept. 30 by one Dr Felix Lawani of Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue.
He said that the complainant reported to the police that the defendants deceived him to pay N12 million into the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources staff salary’s account.
The prosecutor said that the money was meant to supply 3,000 bags of fertilizers to the complainant, but the defendants converted the money to their own use.
The prosecutor said that during police investigation, the defendants were arrested and they voluntarily confessed to the crime.
He said that investigation into the matter was still ongoing and prayed the court for another date for mention.
He said the offence contravenes section 1(3) and 8 (c) of the advance fee fraud and other fraud related offences Act 2005 laws of the federation.
The Magistrate, Mrs Franca Yuwa, however, adjourned the case till Jan. 2, for mention. (NAN)
DAJ/HS/MO
Edited by Halima Sheji/Morayo Omolade