For allegedly defrauding for the sum of N26 million, a diabetic patient, Abdulrahman Raji, was, yesterday, arraigned before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja.
Raji was arraigned before Justice Ismail Ijelu by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on two-count charge.
The anti-graft said his offences bordering on conspiracy and fraud contravened the provisions of Sections 8 (a) 1, (b), and 1(3), of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act 2006.
The prosecuting counsel, E. Isah told the court that the defendant and another, now at large, conspired to commit the offences between March 20 and 21, 2023.
Raji was said to have fraudulently obtained the sum of N26 million from one Olaide Adedapo under false pretence for the purchase of a Toyota Hilux car.
Following the defendant’s plea of not guilty to the charge, Isah prayed the court for a trial date, and urged that the defendant be remanded in the facility of the Correctional Service.
But the defendant’s counsel, N. A. Onah, informed the court of the defendant’s travails, having been detained in the EFCC’s custody since March 2023.
Onah told the court that the defendant has filed an application for bail dated November 7, and served the same to the prosecution.
The prosecution, who confirmed service, said bail was at the discretion of the court.
The defence counsel therefore urged the court to hear the bail application, stating that the defendant was an elderly man, who is sick and has been in the EFCC’s custody since March.
He said: “He is diabetic and physically feeble. I have practiced for 25 years and I have known the defendant for 15 years, I can undertake to produce him.”
After listening to their submission, Justice Ijelu however, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N5 million with two sureties in like sum.
Justice Ijelu ordered that the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendant and the two sureties must be residents of Lagos state.
The judge further ordered that the sureties must show evidence of three years of tax payment to the Lagos State government and the addresses of the sureties must be verified by the court registrars. “The Chief Registrar shall verify the sureties.”
He subsequently adjourned to December 11, for the commencement of trial.
