A Lagos Federal High Court, has fixed October 28, 2021, for the commencement of trial of a Nigeria businessman, Kenneth Ndubuisi Amadi, who is facing a five-count charge of alleged conspiracy and fraud of N2.9 billion.
Justice Lewis Allagoa who presided over the court, fixed the date after his plea was retaken on the charges, on Friday.
The businessman alongside his firm, IDID Nigeria Limited, were earlier charged before the court presided over by Justice Mohammed Liman, sometimes in February, 2021, by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) on the charges.
Justice Liman had fixed April 21, for the his trial but that could not hold due to the JUSUN Strike coupled with the transfer of the judge to another Jurisdiction of the court.
AGF in the charge filed against the businessman had alleged that sometimes in 2019, he received by false pretence and with an intent to defraud, obtained the sum of N2. 9 billion, belonging to Eunisell Limited, from A-Z Petroleum Limited and Ammasco International Limited; omitting making full and true entry thereof in the books and accounts; suppression of data in respect of the financial transfer to Eunisell Limited; and converting the same amount without authority to create sufficient deposits to promote the credibility of his own company (IDID Nigeria Limited).
The offences according to the prosecution are contrary to section 1(1)(a) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other fraud-related offences Act, Cap. A6, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; Section 1(2)(c) of the miscellaneous Offences Act, Cap M17, laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004; Section 14(1) of Cybercrimes(Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015 and Section 434 of the criminal code Act, Cap. C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004, and punishable under section 1(3) of the same Act.
At the resumed hearing of the charges on Friday, the prosecutor, Mrs. Aderonke Imana, told Justice Allagoa that the matter is fixed for the re-arraignment of the businessman on the charges.
Mrs. Imana therefore, urged the court to to allow the defendant to retake his plea on the charges.
Upon the reading of the charges to the businessman, he denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the businessman’s not guilty plea, the prosecutor, Mrs. Imana asked the court for a trial date, on the ground that the matter was slated for the defendant’s arraignment.
But the defendant’s counsel, Mr. O. J. Akinwale, told the court that his client, Kenneth, is read to commence his trial on the allegations.
However, the presiding judge, Justice Allagoa, conceded to the prosecutor’s request and adjourned the matter till October 28, 2021, for the commencement of the businessman’s trial on the allegations.
