A 42-year-old man, Yunusa Adamu was on Wednesday arraigned in a Magistrates’ Court in Gwagwalada Abuja for allegedly deceiving and obtaining N1.2 million from intending pilgrims for purchase of form.

The police charged Adamu of Bako village, Kwali Area Council FCT with criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The Prosecutor, Dabo Yakubu told the court that the complainants, Ibrahim Attahiru and Aishat Rajah, both residents of Yangoji village, Kwali Area Council reported the matter at the Gwagwalada Area Command on July 3.

Mr Yakubu said that sometime in February, the defendant deceived the complainants and collected the sum of N1.2 million to enable him to prepare pilgrimage form for them to travel to Saudi Arabia for hajj.

He said that after collecting the money from them he converted it to his own personal use and also blocked their lines so they would not reach him.

The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the provisions of Sections 312 and 322 of the Penal Code.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The Defence Council, Ayam Michael in an oral bail application prayed the court to grant his client bail in the most liberal terms.

Mr Michael cited Sections 158, 162 and 165 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act and Section 36 (5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended to buttress his claims for bail.

The Magistrate, Olatunji Oladunmoye, admitted the defendant to bail in the sum of N2 million with one reasonable surety in like sum.

Mr Oladunmoye ordered that the surety must be working in a reputable organisation within the court’s jurisdiction.

He adjourned the case until September 23, for hearing.

(NAN)