NAN-H-101
Fraud
By Sandra Umeh
Lagos, Oct. 6, 2016 (NAN) A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned till Nov. 3 and Nov.4 the trial of Taiwo Malumi, a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo South Senatorial District charged with N40 million fraud just as both parties are opting for out-of-court settlement.
Malumi was arraigned on Aug. 10 by the Police Special Fraud Unit on a charge of fraudulently obtaining a sum of N40 million from Mr Nick Shaiyen, the Managing Director of Whitehall Management Ltd.
The defendant was said to have obtained the money on the pretext of selling a property at Unit B9, situated at Funtai Court, 3, Ruxton St., Ikoyi, to the plaintiff.
Malumi claimed that the property was free from “encumbrances”.
The offence, according to the prosecutor, Mr Ekong Sunday, contravenes the provisions of Section 1(1) (b) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Related Offences Act, 2016.
The accused had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was granted bail by the court.
At the resumed hearing of the case on Thursday, the prosecutor, Mr Effiong Asuquo, who took over from the former prosecutor, informed the court that both parties were exploring out-of-court settlement.
He urged the court to fix a trial date if the parties failed to reach a settlement.
Similarly, Counsel to the accused, Mr A. Salami, urged the court to grant an adjournment to enable the defendant to give a substantial amount of money to the complainant.
Consequently, Justice AbdulAziz Anka, upheld the prosecution’s submission and adjourned the case to Nov. 3 and Nov.4 for further hearing. (NAN)
UNS/MO/DA
==========
Controlled by Dele Akinsola & edited by Morayo Omolade