Alleged N816m Fraud: EFCC Arraigns Indian national

For allegedly being involved in fraud to the tune of N816 million, an Indian, Chandra Singh, was yesterday arraigned before an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

He was docked by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before the court, presided over by Justice Ismail Ijelu, on a 19-count charge bordering on bribery and retention of stolen property.

But he pleaded not guilty to the charge, prompting counsel to the EFCC, Bilikisu Buhari, to pray the court to remand the defendant to the correctional centre.

According to Buhari, "We are also ready to open trial and have witnesses in court.”

The anti-graft agency had alleged that the Indian, on or before January 1, 2021, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd, solicited indirectly to confer an undue advantage for his company CVN Engineering Ltd in order that he influences his employee to award the supply of costing N365 million to CVN Engineering Ltd.

The Commission had equally alleged that the defendant solicited indirectly to confer undue advantage for his company, Neo Paints Nigeria Ltd, in order that he influences his employee to award the supply of costing N451 million to Neo Paints Nigeria Ltd.

The EFCC also contended that the defendant dishonestly retained the sum of 4,150 USD belonging to African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd.

But counsel for the defence, Hassan Olanrewaju, informed the court of the bail application for the defendant and requested a short adjournment to enable him to prepare for the trial.

He said: “I was only served with the amended information and proof of evidence this morning in court, and it will only be fair to be given time to prepare.”

In his ruling, Justice Ijelu remanded the defendant in Ikoyi Correctional Centre and adjourned until November 30, 2022, for hearing of bail application and commencement of trial

According to the EFCC, the alleged offences violated Sections 328 and 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011, and Section 83 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State 2011.

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