Justice A. B. Mohammed
of the Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Jabi, Abuja on Thursday,
April 6, 2017 revoked the bail granted to one Bala Tangalu, who is facing trial
on a 2-count charge of conspiracy and obtaining by false pretence to the tune
of N2.5million by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Tangalu, a self-styled
native doctor also known as Babalawo, was arraigned on Wednesday,
February 22, 2017 following an investigation into a petition by one Dozie
Ugonna, who alleged that he was scammed of over N2.5million by the accused and
his cohorts.
According to the
petitioner, the money was meant for the purchase of materials to neutralize
some harmful charms purportedly contained in a carton filled with United States
dollars.
The offence is contrary
to Section 8 (a) and punishable under Section 8 (C) and 1 (3) of the Advance
Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act No. 14, 2006.
The defendant pleaded
not guilty to the charge and was granted bail by the court in the sum of
N2million with two sureties in like sum. But, he has refused to show up in
court for his trial.
Following his refusal to
attend court for trial, counsel to EFCC, Elizabeth
Alabi, at the sitting today made two applications. The first application is
urging the court to revoke the bail of the defendant and order his arrest,
while the second application is for trial to continue in absential pursuant to
Section 352 (4) of the ACJA.
Justice Mohammed granted the
application on the issuance of bench warrant and dismissed that of trial in
absential on the grounds that “it is the first adjournment”.
Thereafter, the case was adjourned
to May 3, 2017 for trial.
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