On Tuesday, the Makurdi Magistrates’ Court remanded Patrick Angulu, a 30-year-old businessman, for defrauding Ifeanyi Ezenma of N6.7 million.

The defendant faces a two-count charge of criminal conspiracy and advanced fee fraud.

The magistrate, J.O Ayia, who did not take the defendant’s plea because of a lack of jurisdiction, ordered his remand in Makurdi prison custody.

The magistrate subsequently adjourned the case until April 2 for mention.

The prosecution counsel, Isaac Ogwuche, told the court that Ezenma reported the case at the ‘C’ Division Police Station, Makurdi, on February 22.

The complainant said Angulu came to his shopping complex in the North Bank area of Makurdi on Feb. 15, claiming to be the regional manager of SPA Beverages, a distributor of SPA bottled water and energy drinks.

He said the defendant advertised the products to him and made him transfer N6.7 million to account number 6402115066, with the account name Bull and Heifers Enterprise.

The complainant stated that the defendant promised to supply 6,400 packs of 75cl of SPA bottled water within 48 hours.

He said the complainant stated that instead of supplying the products, the defendant criminally conspired with several others, converted the money for their use, and absconded to an unknown destination.

The prosecutor said the defendant was arrested during a police investigation for committing the offence while others are still at large.

(NAN)