The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today February 23rd,
2017 arraigned one Gabriel Chimezie before Justice Tukur Muazu of the
Kaduna State High Court on a four count charge of Obtaining the sum of
N3,420,000 (Three Million, Four Hundred and Twenty Thousand Naira Only)
by False Pretence.
The accused person allegedly induced the complainant through a phone
call to part with the sum of N3, 420,000 (Three Million, Four Hundred
and Twenty Thousand Naira Only) under the pretext that the money was for
the purchase of solar halogen indicator which would be supplied to an
electrical company in Bayelsa.
The accused person convinced the complainant to believe they were
classmate at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and that he wanted to
help the complainant secure a contract especially now that he learned of
the complainant’s retirement from service.
After their initial conversation, the complainant received an alert
purportedly from Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in the sum of N62,
000,000 (Sixty Two Million Naira Only).
The complainant then called the accused person and inform him about the
alert. The accused person then send him a phone number of one Joe who
supplied him with Guaranty Trust Bank account number where the
complainant deposited the sum of N3,420,000 (Three Million, Four Hundred
and Twenty Thousand Naira Only) which according to the accused person
was meant for CBN Charge remittance, inspectors charge. After the
complainant made the payment, the accused person cut all contact with
him.
After listening to the charge, the accused person pleaded not guilty.
Prosecution counsel, Musa Isah requested the court for a trial date, but
the defence counsel, John Sakant brought a bail application praying the
court to admit his client to bail. However, prosecution counsel
countered the application urging the court to refuse the bail
application.
Justice Muazu adjourned the matter to 27th February, 2017 for ruling on bail application.