Court Remands Suspect For Defrauding Firm Of N27.5m

By Felix Kuyinu

The Magistates’ Court in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, has docked one Tokunbo Daramola for allegedly defrauding a firm to the tune of N27.5m.

Daramola, 47, was arrainged by the Police on Thursday on a count of obtaining by false pretence.

The accused was said to have defrauded the firm, Prohaul Energy & Logistics Limited in July 2023 when he allegely issued an old postdated Polaris Bank Cheque which the Central Bank of Nigeria has phased out as security to obtain the sum.

The prosecutor, ASP Ben Ekundayo, told the court that the incident occurred at about 10 am, at Ladipo Kuku Street, off Allen Avenue, Lagos.

Ekundayo’s claim that the offence committed is punishable under Section 322(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015 was countered by the defendant who pleaded not guilty to the offence against him.

Subsequently, the prosecutor urged the court to remand him to the facility of the Nigerian Correctional Service, pending the determination of the charge.

But the defendant through his lawyer, urged the court to grant him bail in the most liberal terms, on the grounds that the charge against him was a bailable one.

While ruling on the submissions of both lawyers, Magistrate Atinuke Adetunji, admitted bail to the defendant in the sum of N3m, with two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate also ordered that each surety must be resident within the court’s jurisdiction, and show evidence of three years of tax payment to the Lagos State government

While adding that the sureties must be gainfully employed, Magistrate Adetunji also ordered the remand of the defendant at the correctional centre pending when he could perfect his bail.

She adjourned the case till May 8, 2024.