52-year old lawyer in court for alleged N10m fraud

Magistrate O. M. Ajayi of an Igbosere Magistrates’’ Court, Lagos, on Monday granted a N500,000 bail to a 52-year-old lawyer, Francis Azuh, who allegedly took N10 million from Ken Egbunike to secure a title document but failed.

Ajayi also granted Azuh two sureties in like sum as part of the bail conditions that he would have to meet.

She said the sureties should be gainfully employed and ordered that the accused should tender his call-to-bar certificate with the court.

Ajayi then adjourned the case to April 28 for mention

The accused is facing a two-count charge of fraud and stealing.

Earlier, the prosecutor, Cpl Cyriacus Osuji, told the court that ‎the accused committed the offences between August 2014 and January 2015 at Union Bank, Marina, Lagos.

Osuji alleged that the accused obtained N10 million from Egbunike to assist him process and secure a title document at the Lagos State Ministry of Land.

“The accused converted the money to his personal use and failed to refund the amount to the complaint when he requested for it,’’ he said

Osuji said the offences contravened Sections 285 (5) and 348 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charges.