Imported User:
A 43-year-old lawyer, Odi Ajike, was on Tuesday charged before an Ikeja High Court with allegedly defrauding another lawyer of N36 million.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Ajike was arraigned alongside his company, Natuzzi Nigeria Ltd., before Justice Lateefat Okunnu.
The accused is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and issuance of a dud cheque preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
EFCC prosecutor, Mr Cosmas Ogwu, alleged that Ajike had sometime in 2008 in Lagos stolen N36 million belonging to one Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, a lawyer.
Ogwu claimed Ajike stole the N36 million which was entrusted to him by fraudulently converting the money through his Diamond Bank Account No. 992000004992 in a Victoria Island branch of the bank.
He also alleged that the accused had issued a Diamond Bank Cheque No. 26535463 dated Jan. 21, 2011 in the sum of N4 million in favour of Nwajiuba.
According to him, the cheque was dishonoured on the grounds of insufficient funds in Ajike's account.
Ogwu said Ajike's alleged offences contravened Sections 8(b) (c) and 516 of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria, 2003.
He said it also contravened Section 1(1) of the Dishonoured Cheques Act Cap. D11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
Ajike had pleaded not guilty to the charges and was remanded in prison custody, pending the hearing of his bail application fixed for June 1. (NAN)
