Court slams N5m bail on man facing alleged N5.9m fraud charge
Fraud
By Nana Musa
Abuja, July 18, 2018 (NAN) The Karmo Grade 1 Area Court, Abuja, on Wednesday, admitted one Lewis Umoren to N5 million bail, following his arraignment over alleged N5.9 million fraud allegation.
The judge, Mr Inuwa Maiwada, admitted Umoren, who is standing trial on a four-count charge, to bail with one surety in like sum.
Maiwada said that the surety must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 08 and ordered the police to ensure it apprehends the two remaining defendants still at large.
The judge adjourned the case until July 19, for hearing.
Umoren, who resides at Jabi in Abuja, had pleaded not guilty to the four-count charge of joint act, fraudulently obtaining by false pretences, criminal breach of trust and cheating.
The prosecutor, Ijeoma Ukagha, told the court that one Raed Al-Hassaniah of Ikoyi, Lagos State, reported the matter at the Utako Police Station, Abuja, sometimes in November 2017.
Ukagha said the complainant reported that the defendant and two other now at large, posed as estate agents and deceived him into parting with the amount when he was looking for accommodation.
“The defendant showed Al-Hassaniah an apartment to let at Jabi, but unknown to the complainant, the apartment did not belong to Umoren,’’ the prosecutor said.
Ukagha said that the defendant and his accomplices formed common intention and fraudulently collected N5.9 million as rent for the apartment without giving the complainant the apartment.
The offences contravened Sections 79, 176, 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.
Cynthia Nnamdi, counsel to the defendant, applied for bail, and assured the court that her client would stand his trial and not abscond. (NAN)
NHM/AOS/OU
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Edited by Bayo Sekoni/Obike Ukoh
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