COURT CONVICTS MAN IN ABSENTIA OVER N6 MILLION FRAUD

The agency Head of Media and Publicity, Tony Orilade said, on Thursday that the convict was granted bail on arraignment, and was attending the trial sessions before he stopped when the matter was slated for judgement.

Penpushing further reports that, at his instance, Justice Mohammed  Owolabi had to shift the judgment day twice, March 15 and March 18, 2019,yet, the accused refused to show up to listen to the court’s verdict..

The agency spokesman explained that, Hussein’s journey to prison started when, sometimes in November 2016, the commission received a complaint from Dees Travels and Tours Limited, alleging that the company supplied 33,000 litres of diesel valued at N6, 435,000 to him, but issued a cheque for the payment of the item.

The convict was said to have fraudulently issued a Diamond Bank cheque to the tune of N6, 435,000 to cover the cost of the supply after receiving the product, the complainant further alleged that the cheque was returned unpaid upon presentation at the designated bank for lack of sufficient funds, adding that subsequent efforts to make him pay the money proved abortive.

Penpushing also reports that the counsel to the defendant, Oluwaseun Fadele, told the court that his client contacted the convict before the first and second adjournments and that he promised to attend his trial.

The commission’s counsel, Sanusi Galadanchi later prayed the court to proceed with the judgment since Owolabi had decided to jump the bail granted him, and the case had been adjourned twice at his instance.

Penpushing further reports that, the court found Hussein  guilty on the first and second count charge of stealing, contrary to Section 390 (9) of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C38, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004; and obtaining money under false pretence, contrary to Section 1 (2) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006 and punishable under Section 1 (3) of the same Act.

The judge, however, discharged the convict on third court charge bordering on issuance of dude cheque, and also issued a bench warrant against the convict, while his sentence has been reserved till when he is arrested or he surrenders himself to the court.