The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC),
Kaduna Zonal office, yesterday, arraigned Markus Adamu Maina, before Justice
Luka Abba of the State High Court, Kafanchan, Kaduna State, on a two-count
charge bordering on alleged cheating and criminal breach of trust to the tune
of over N9million.
Maina’s luck ran out when his victim, Navy Captain Kwabe,
in 2017, petitioned to the EFCC, alleged that the defendant defrauded him to
the tune of over N9million in an investment on ginger.
The petitioner alleged that he paid the sum of N9, 7000
into Markus’ account domiciled in an old generation bank with each bag of
ginger, valued at N20, 000, with a commission of N750, when the produce is
eventually sold.
According to Kwabe, when it was the time to dispose the
produce in the market, he discovered a foul play from the accused and
therefore, requested that his money be returned to him for which he said, he
has received no dime till date.
Count one of the charge reads: “that you Markus Adamu,
sometime in February, 2017, in Kaduna within the Judicial Division of this
honourable court, while being entrusted with dominion over property to wit; the
sum of N9,750,000 by Navy Captain Kwabe for the purpose of buying 500 bags of
dry ginger for which you did, dishonestly misappropriated the remaining 50 bags
of ginger in violation of a legal contract and you thereby committed an offence
contrary to Section 311 of the Penal Code (Cap. 110) Laws of Kaduna State 1991
and punishable under Section 312 of the same Law."
The suspect pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting
prosecuting counsel, E.K Garba, to urge the court for a commencement date of
trial, and for the defendant to be remanded in the custody of Nigerian
Correctional Service, NCS. The defence counsel, B.E Wadah, however, asked the
court to admit his client to bail.
Justice Abba admitted the accused to bail in the sum of
N2million and one surety in like some. The surety, the judge added, must have a
landed property within the jurisdiction of the court. He adjourned the case to
March 9, 2020, for commencement of trial.
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