Judiciary
A 45-year-old woman, Chidima Chijioke, who allegedly defrauded another woman of several bags of flour worth N4.8 million, on Wednesday, appeared before a Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court.
The defendant, a resident of Ungwan Rimi Kaduna, is facing a three-count charge bordering on conspiracy, stealing and obtaining money under false pretence, to which she, however, pleaded not guilty.
The Police Prosecutor, Insp Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in 2023 in Kaduna.
Leo said that the defendant fraudulently collected several bags of flour worth N4.8 million, property of one Francisca Raymond.
He stated that the defendant fraudulently collected the bags of flour, with a promise to pay in installments, but she failed to keep her own side of the bargain.
He said that the defendant issued a cheque to the complainant, which was rejected in the bank because there was no money in the account.
“Efforts made by the complainant to retrieve either the goods or the money proved abortive,” the prosecutor said.
The offences, according to Leo, violate Sections 287, 314 and 411 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that obtaining money under false pretences attracts 15 years’ imprisonment and stealing three years, while conspiracy is punishable with two years.
The Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, admitted the defendant to N500,000 bail, with two sureties in like sum.
Emmanuel said that the sureties must be gainfully employed, with evidence of two years’ tax payment to Kaduna State Government.
He, thereafter, adjourned the case till Nov. 21 for hearing. (NAN)
2nd October, 2024.
C.E.
Tags: Chidima Chijioke
