A businesswoman, Clara Anthony, on Monday appeared before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court for allegedly obtaining N625.8 million under the guise of supplying rice to some of her business partners.

The defendant was arraigned alongside her company, Flourish Clear Concept, on a 17-count charge bordering on conspiracy, obtaining by false pretences, stealing, fraud and conversion.

The prosecutor, S. A. Ogala, told the court that the defendants conspired and committed the offences sometime between June 2022 and December 2023 in the Oregun area of Lagos.

He alleged that the defendants obtained N56 million from one Chinemerem Eweremadu under the pretext of supplying rice to him.

The prosecutor said that in June 2022, the defendants obtained N36 million from another complainant, Ifenyinwa Eweremadu, under the guise of transacting rice business with her.

Mr Ogala said that between October and December 2023, the defendants obtained N58.5 million from one Mary Nwagodigwe and others under the pretext of supplying rice to them.

He also alleged that sometime in May 2023, the defendants fraudulently obtained N20.5 million from one Amarachi Orakwe under the same false pretences.

Mr Ogala said between November 2022 and October 2023, the defendants fraudulently obtained N3.2 million from one Ebele Iwuchukwu.

He added that sometime in October 2023, the defendants obtained N410 million from one Nkechi Andy and others under the guise of supplying rice to them.

The prosecutor said that sometime in September 2022, the defendants defrauded one Ejiro Nwamadi and others of N6.1 million.

“In July 2022, the defendants fraudulently obtained the sum of N54 million from one Immaculate Nwosu.

“The defendants did not supply rice to any of the complainants but dishonestly converted the total sum of N625.8 million to their own use,” he said.

The prosecutor said the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 1 (1) of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act 2006 and section 390 of the Criminal Code, 2004.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Ibrahim Kala granted her N2 million bail with two sureties in like sum.

He ordered that the defendant be remanded in police custody pending the perfection of her bail conditions.

The court adjourned the case until January 22 for trial.

(NAN)