The police from Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos has arraigned an Ogun State based engineer, Alhaji Rasaki Shotunde, before a Lagos Federal High Court, on charges bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by pretence and fraudulent conversion of the sum of N332 million.
The engineer was arraigned before the court presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, alongside his company, Rasatech Engineering Company, on a nine-count charge.
At the resumed hearing of the charge Tuesday, the prosecutor, Morufu A. Animashaun, told the court that the defendant committed the offences between September 27, 2021 and July 6, 2022.
In a nine-count charge number FHC/L//696C/2022 dated 22nd of December,2022 filed before the court by the Nigeria Police prosecuting counsel, Barrister M.A. Animashaun from the Legal/Prosecution section, Force Criminal investigation, Department Alagbon Ikoyi, Lagos.
He told the court that the defendant with intent to defraud, fraudlently obtained the total sum of N332 million, from one Folashade Balogun, owner of Red rocks Home international Limited, builders of Amen Estate Phase 2 Eleko Beach, Lagos State under the pretence of installing a dedicated 7.5MVA33/11 feeder from Ajah TCN/EKEDC injection station to power the Estate.
Animashaun told the court that the defendant received the said sum in his various nominated account, number 0043396144 domiciled in Access Bank Plc.
The prosecutor told the court that the offences committed by the engineer, are contrary to section 1(b) of the advance fee Frauds and other related Offences Act 2006 (as amended) and punishable under Section 1 (3 ) of same Advance Fee Frauds and Other Frauds Related Offences Act 2006 ( as amended).
The prosecutor also told the court that the defendant’s actions contravened Section 390 of the Criminal Code Act Cap.C38, Laws of Federation 2004.
The defendant pleaded not guilty to all the counts charge.
Following his plea, the prosecutor asked for a trial date and also urged the court to remand the defendant in the custody of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCoS) till the determination of the charge.
But counsel to the defendant, F. A. Aigbadumah, informed the court that his client’s bail application had been filed and same as been served on the prosecution, adding that the prosecution has equally filed response to the application.
After moving the application, urged the court to admit bail to his client in due to his health status. In particular, he asked the to release the defendant to him.
Responding to the lawyer’s request, the prosecutor, urged the court to discountenance the counsel to defendant’s application, saying that the defendant is a ‘flight risk’.
Ruling on the parties submissions, Justice Lifu, acceded to the defendant’s lawyer request on health with some conditions and terms.
The judge therefore release the defendant to his counsel with undertaking that the lawyer will produce the produce him on the next adjourned date.
The judge consequently adjourned the matter to May 17, for ruling on bail application.
