Man arraigned for defrauding MTN N7.2m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on April 23, 2015 arraigned one Ernest Jor before Justice Valentine Ashi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory sitting in Apo, Abuja on a two-count charge of fraud.

Count two of the charge reads:

“That you, Ernest Jor, sometime in 2007 in Abuja within the jurisdiction of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, being entrusted with the sum of N6,000,000.00 (Six Million Naira Only) by MTN Nigeria Communication, for payment of lease running through August 2007 to July 2017, in respect of plot No. E17A, District Centre Layout, Kubwa District, with Certificate of Occupancy No:MTZ/LA/NG/766, belonging to Alhaji Abdulrauf Yusuf, did dishonestly convert same to your own use and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code Law, Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, and punishable under Section 312 of the same Law”.

The accused pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

Upon his plea, counsel to EFCC, C. C Ndubeze urged the court to fix a date for trial to commence.

However, counsel to the accused, Chinwe Obiakor prayed the court to grant the accused bail. Relying on Section 341 sub section 2 of the Criminal Code, Obiakor assured that his client would not do anything to frustrate his trial if admitted to bail.

Justice Ashi granted the accused person bail in the sum of N5m (five million naira) and two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be residents within the Federal Capital Territory , Abuja .

The case has been adjourned to May 20, 2015 for hearing.