Judiciary
A Makurdi Magistrates’ Court on Friday ordered remanded a 30-year-old farmer, one Oliver Utim, at the Correctional Centre, Makurdi, for allegedly defrauding his friend, one Daniel Mkosoga, of the sum of N381,000.
Utim, who lives at Abu King Shuluwa Road, Makurdi, was charged with criminal breach of trust, theft and fraud.
However, the Magistrate, Mrs Mariam Ayua, who did not take the plea of the defendant, adjourned the matter until Oct. 31, for mention.
Earlier, the Prosecutor, Sgt Isaac Ogwuche, told the court that Mkosoga had reported the matter at the Police Area Command Office, Makurdi, on Oct 4.
Ogwuche said that the defendant, sometime in November, 2023, approached his former classmate, Mkosoga, that he had graduated as an agriculturist and was practicing same.
He said the defendant allegedly deceived him into sending him the sum of N250,000 with a promise to farm cassava, rice and soybean for him.
Ogwuche claimed that Utim also collected N37,000 from Mkosoga to buy one sheep and a goat to rear for the complainant.
He said Mkosoga allegedly gave the defendant one carton of herbicide valued N54,000 and another N40,000 for miscellaneous expenses.
The complainant said when he later approached Utim to see all the things he had promised to do for him, he found out that all were false and the defendant even stopped taking his calls.
Prosecutor said the defendant was arrested in connection with the crime during police investigation.
He said the offences contravened sections 313 and 288 of the Penal Code, law of Benue, 2004 and 1(3) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other related offences act, 2006. (NAN)
A.I
Oct. 11, 2024
Tags: Daniel Mkosoga
