Trader docked over alleged N4.5m fraud

A 42-year-old trader, Sani Garba, was on Wednesday arraigned in Kaduna over alleged N4.5 million fraud.

Garba, who resides at Malali area of Kaduna, is facing a count charge of fraud, before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offense in March at 10.00a.m at Kawo Market, Kaduna.

Leo said that the defendant collected goods worth N4.5 million from a distributor, Umar Kabiru, with an agreement that he would remit the money after sales, but failed to do so.

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He said that the defendant converted the money to his personal use.

“He started avoiding the complainant and was using other distributors to get supplies,” the prosecutor.

He said offenses contravened Section 344 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 344 prescribes 10 years jail term for fraud.

The Chief Magistrate, Mr Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Emmanuel ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and provide evidence of tax payment to the Kaduna State Government.

He said that one of the sureties must be a blood relation to the defendant.

Emmanuel adjourned the case until Aug. 29, for mention.