The police on Wednesday in Abuja arraigned a 32-year-old man, Ben Abaa, before a Chief Magistrates’ Court sitting in Wuse for alleged criminal breach of trust and cheating.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge when it was read to him.

The prosecuting counsel, Festus Ajayi, told the court that the complainant, Joel Ezekiel, reported the matter at the Maitama Police Station on June 11.

Mr Ajayi also informed the court that the complainant said that sometime in May, he entrusted the defendant with the sum of N2.6 million to drill a borehole 100 metres deep.

He said the defendant allegedly refused to drill the 100 metres but instead drilled only 40 metres, damaged his fence and absconded to an unknown destination.

He said that during police investigation, the defendant was tracked and arrested.

According to the prosecutor, the offence contravened Sections 312 and 327 of the Penal Code.

In his ruling, the Magistrate, A. E. Sadiq, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N1 million with one surety in like sum.

Mr Sadiq adjourned the matter until August 10 for trial.

(NAN)