Anti-graft arraigns man for fraud in Abuja

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July 8, 2015 9:35 AM

Solomon Yakubu Ndam has been arraigned by The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on a 13-count charge, including forgery, impersonation and obtaining money by false pretense totalling N5,540,000.

The accused, who was arraigned on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 arraigned before Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on a 13-count charge bordering on forgery, impersonation and obtaining money by false pretence to the tune of N5,540,000 (Five Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand Naira), Vanguard reports.

Solomon, a former employee of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria, PHCN, obtained the money from some unsuspecting persons, claiming that he would help them acquire some pieces of land being sold by the PHCN.

Count one of the charges reads: “That you, Solomon Yakubu Ndam, on or about the 18th day of May, 2012 at Abuja in the Abuja Judicial Division of the High court of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja, with intent to defraud did make a forged document titled RE: APPLICATION FOR PLOT ALLOCATION, REF: 273/ADMIN/20/165/2012, purportedly signed by A.O. Obadofin and issued by the Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc, Abuja Electricity Distribution Company acknowledging receipt of payment of the sum of N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from you for land allocation with the intention of causing it to be believed as genuine and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 364 of the Penal Code Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 1990."

The accused pleaded not guilty when the charges were read to him.

In view of his plea, counsel to the accused, J.D Ndam, moved an oral application for bail.

However, prosecution counsel, Samuel Okeleke, opposed the bail application and prayed the court to remand the accused person in prison.

After listening to both counsels, Justice Okeke, refused the oral application for bail sought by the defence counsel and ordered him to file a written bail application.

Justice Okeke ordered the accused to be remanded in prison custody and adjourned the case till September 28, 2015 for ruling on the bail application.

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