NAN-H-30
Fraud
By Moji Eniola
Ikeja, April 4, 2017 (NAN) A businessman, Mohammed Gobir, and a company, Mondial Defence Systems Ltd, have been charged for allegedly defrauding the Kwara government of N276million.
Gobir, an indigene of Kwara, and the company, are facing a five-count charge of stealing and forgery, slammed against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They, however, denied the charges.
According to the counsel for the EFCC, Mrs Zainab Etu, the offences were committed between November 2012 and January 2014 in Ikeja.
“In November 2012, the defendants dishonestly converted to their use the N92.3million, property of the Kwara State Government.
“Sometime in 2013, the defendants dishonestly converted N184million, also belonging to the Kwara State government.
“The monies were collected under the guise of supplying three units of Armoured Personnel Carriers to the Kwara State Government.
“The Armoured Personnel Carriers were never supplied.
“The accused forged three documents, the first on Oct. 10, 2013 titled Letter of Award of Contract with reference number – S/GS/157/7/123.
“The second was on Dec. 28, 2013 a letter titled Letter of Award of Contract with reference number S/GS/157/VII/535.
“The third was on Jan. 17, 2014 titled Letter of Intent with reference number: S/GS/157/T/15.
“The three letters were purportedly from the Office of the Secretary to the Kwara State Government, in relation to the bogus contracts,” she said.
According to the EFCC, the offence contravenes Sections 285 (9)(b) and 363 (2) (b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Justice Josephine Oyefeso admitted Gobir to bail in the sum of N50milion, with two sureties in like sum.
She said that Gobir had two other fraud-related cases in the Federal High Court and the State High Court.
Oyefeso ordered that the accused should be remanded in custody, pending the perfection of his bail conditions.
The case was adjourned until June 8 and June 10, for continuation of trial. (NAN)
MAE/FLP/PIO
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(Edited by Folorunso Poroye/Idonije Obakhedo)