A 56-year-old man was on Monday arraigned before an Ebute Meta Magistrates’ Court, Lagos, over alleged attempt to defraud the Emir of Katsina, Alhaji Abdulmumin Usman, of N5 million.
The accused, Benard Ejiofor, is facing a 12-count-charge of conspiracy, felony, forgery, uttering, impersonation, and stealing.
The prosecutor, Mr P.O. Ogwumba, told the court that the accused allegedly presented a forged withdrawal slip No 3667471 to draw the money from the Emir’s account with Keystone Bank, Adeola Odeku Branch, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Ejiofor, who has a close resemblance to the Emir, was alleged to have presented a forged National Driver’s Licence on Sept. 27, 2011 to draw the money.
Ugwumba said that the offences contravened Sections 516, 419, 509, 484, 467, Cap 17 of the 2003 Criminal Laws of Lagos State.
The accused pleaded not guilty to the 12-count charge.
Counsel to the defendant, Makolo Anthony, pleaded for a liberal bail since the charges were bailable offences.
The prosecutor, however, opposed the bail application on the grounds that Ejiofor’s collaborators were at large and that he might conspire with them to commit a graver offence if released.
He added that the money involved was large and that the accused might abscond if granted bail.
Magistrate T. Bolarinwa refused the bail application, remanded the accused in prison custody and adjourned the case till Nov. 15 for trial.