Court Remands Woman For Defrauding Lawyer N165.5m

An Ikeja Special Offences Court yesterday remanded a businesswoman, Linda Mabi-Praise, who allegedly defrauded a lawyer, Mr Unoma Omo, of N165.5 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Sherifat Solebo ordered that Mabi-Praise should be kept in the Kirikiri Female Prison, Lagos, pending perfection of her bail.
Solebo granted her bail after she pleaded not guilty to a two-count charge of obtaining money by false pretences and stealing.
“The defendant is granted bail in the sum of N25 million with two sureties who must be resident in Lagos, provide proof of residence and proof of payment of taxes.
“Pending perfection of the bail, the defendant is to be remanded in prison custody,” Solebo ordered.
According to Mr Frank Ofoma, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecuting the case, Mabi-Praise and her company Mutano Energy Ltd. committed the offences from April, 2017 to June 2017, in Lagos State.
“The defendant and her company, with an intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N165.5 million from Omo on the pretext that the money was for the lifting and supply of diesel (Automotive Gas Oil),” he said.
The EFCC  said the offences contravened Sections 1(1), 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, and Sections 258 (1)(9) and 278(1)(2) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.
Mr A. A Adetunji, the businesswoman’s counsel, had prayed  the judge to grant Mabi-Praise bail in liberal terms.
“She is ready to make herself available to the honourable court during the pendency of this trial.
“Upon hearing that there was a charge against her, she willingly submitted herself to the EFCC.
“She has reliable sureties willing to stand for her and produce her during the pendency of this matter,” Adetunji said.
The prosecution  however, opposed the bail application, praying the court to  order accelerated trial of the case.
“The prosecution undertakes to produce its witnesses as it is a very straightforward case,” the EFCC counsel said.
The case has been adjourned until March 25 for trial.