A businessman, Lanre Smith, was arraigned before the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court on Tuesday over an alleged $26,000 fraud.

Mr Smith is prosecuted by the Force Criminal Investigation Department of the Nigeria Police on a three-count charge of conspiracy, laundering of funds obtained through unlawful activity and fraud.

The prosecutor, Mike Enejere, told the court that the defendant committed the offence sometime in August 2016.

Mr Enejere said Mr Smith conspired with others, now at large, to conduct a financial transaction from the proceeds of an unlawful activity.

He said the defendant deceived Lindy Drake to deposit $26,000 into a U.S. Wells Fargo account with the name Wilok Ltd, operated by Okwudli Okeke.

The prosecutor further alleged that the defendant’s action was to carry out an unlawful activity.

Mr Enejere also said Mr Smith obtained about N10.1 million from Okeke under the pretext that he had deposited $26,000 into his U.S. Wells Fargo account.

He said the offences contravened sections 1(1)(a), 7 and 7(2)(b) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The defence counsel, A.A. Apara, made an oral application for the bail of the defendant, which was objected to by the prosecutor.

Justice Ibrahim Kala ordered defence counsel to file a written bail application before the court.

He then adjourned the case until February 5 for a hearing of the bail application and commencement of trial.

(NAN)