BizmanArraigned For Alleged Fraud

The police on Monday arraigned a businessman, Francis Onye,
of the Federal Housing Authority in Lugbe, Abuja for allegedly defrauding his
client.

Police Prosecutor, Paul Anigbo, told the court that the case
was reported at the Lugbe Police Station by Obinna Ofianozie of the Federal
Housing Authority, Lugbe on June 6.

Anigbo said that sometime in March when Ofianozie needed a
house to rent, Onye introduced himself to him as a property agent.

He said that Ofianozie gave N350,000 to Onye who promised to
secure an accommodation for him but rather diverted the money to his personal
use.

Anigbo said that all efforts to retrieve the money from Onye
proved abortive until he was arrested by the police and the sum of N59,000 was
recovered from him.

The prosecutor said the offence contravened the provisions
of sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

Onye, however, pleaded not guilty to the allegations.

Mr. Ikenna Nnaemeka, Counsel to the accused, urged the court
to grant his client bail.

The Senior Magistrate, Binta Dogonyaro, in her ruling,
granted the accused bail in the sum of N200,000 with a reliable surety in like
sum who must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

Dogonyaro said that the surety must swear to an affidavit of
means and have a fixed and ascertainable address and business which must be
verified by the court.

She adjourned the case to October 3 for further hearing.