Indian Man Lands in EFCC's Trouble Over N816 Million Fraud Case
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arrested and arraigned an Indian man before an Ikeja Court
- Chandra Singh was arraigned before Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Ikeja Special Offences Court for crimes bordering on alleged conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence
- Counsel to the Indian national prayed to the court to grant his client bail and a short adjournment for his team to prepare the defendant for trial
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An Indian man, Chandra Singh, has been arraigned before an Ikeja Special Offences Court for alleged N816 million fraud.
Brought before the court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Singh is facing a 19-count charge bordering on bribery and retention of stolen property.
Source: Twitter
The commission in a statement said that the defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges against him before Justice Ismail Ijelu of the Ikeja Special Offences Court.
Making his submission, the counsel for the EFCC, Bilikisu Buhari, sought a court order to remand Singh at the correctional centre, following his not-guilty plea.
Buhari said:
“We are also ready to open trial and have witnesses in court."
The prosecution in its charges against the defendant alleged that on or before Jan. 1, 2021, whilst in the employment of African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd, Singh solicited indirectly to confer an undue advantage for his company CVN Engineering ltd.
The EFCC said that the defendant did so with plans to influence his employee to award the supply of costing N365 million to CVN Engineering Ltd.
According to the EFCC, Singh also solicited indirectly to confer an undue advantage for his company Neo Paints Nigeria Ltd in order that he coaxes his employee to award another supply costing N451 million to Neo Paints Nigeria Ltd.
The anti-graft agency added that Singh in another move illegally retained $4,150 belonging to African Natural Resources and Mines Ltd.
In defence of the accused
However, in defence of Singh, his counsel, Hassan Olanrewaju, informed the court about a bail application on behalf of the defendant.
Olanrewaju also prayed for the court to grant a short adjournment for his team to prepare the defendant for trial.
His words:
“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."
Having heard submissions made by the two parties, the judge presiding over the case, remanded Singh at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The matter was also adjourned until November 30 for the hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.
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A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory has ruled that the EFCC boss be sent to Kuje prison for contempt of court.
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Source: Legit.ng
