A 45-year-old Alfa, Adeleke Isiaka was on Tuesday arraigned by the Lagos State Police Command, for allegedly defrauding one Ismail Abdul of N8.5m under the pretence of conducting prayers for him.
Men of the Special Fraud Unit, SFU, who arrested Isiaka, charged the 45-year-old on a three count of conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretence and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Sylvester Azubuike told the court that the Alfa committed the offence sometimes in March 2013, at Abdul Oladejo Avenue, Mokore Town Wawa bus stop, off Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
He informed the court that the 45-year-old obtained the sum of 50,000 dollars, equivalent of N8.5 million, from Abdul.
Azubuike claimed that the money was “obtained by inducement under false pretence of praying for Allah’s blessings on the money, to enable the complainant purchase two trucks and for business to be free from all encumbrances.”
The Prosecutor said shortly after collecting the money, the 45-year-old absconded with the sum.
Azubuike said the offence contravened provisions of sections 1(1) (a), and 8(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and other fraud Related offences Act, Cap A6 Laws of the Federation, 2008.
He added that the offence also contravened the provisions of sections 390 (d) of the Criminal Code Act Cap C28 Laws of the Federation 2004.
When the charges were read to his hearing, Isiaka pleaded not guilty.
Following his not guilty plea, the trial judge, Justice Muslim Hassan granted Isiaka bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum.
Justice Hassan said the accused should be remanded in prison custody pending the perfection of the bail conditions.
The judge fixed September 15 for the commencement of trial.
