The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Wednesday arraigned a man, Mike Obaze, before an Ikeja Special Offences Court for allegedly stealing N15.5 million proceeds from car sales.

Mr Obaze, whose residential address was not provided, was arraigned on a three-count charge bordering on stealing proffered against him by the EFCC.

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

EFCC Counsel, Ahmed Yerima, prayed the court for a trial date.

The defence counsel, Nneka Nkana, informed the court of the summons for bail application dated February 13.

Ms Nkana also told the court that the defence would call two witnesses.

Mr Yerima, however, informed the court that he had just been served and needed some time to go through it.

He also notified the court that the prosecution would call three witnesses against the defendant.

The prosecutor told the court that the defendant allegedly committed the offences in November and December 2021 in Lagos.

He submitted that the defendant allegedly converted the sum of seven million naira from the sale of the Mercedes-Benz GL 12 Model, the property of one Anene Nwandukwe.

He also alleged that the defendant converted the sum of N8.5 million, proceeds from the purchase of a Toyota Corolla 2015 Model and a Toyota Camry 2011 Model, to his personal use.

According to the commission, the alleged offence contravenes Section 5 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2015.

Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe said in the interim, the defendant would be remanded at the correctional centre.

Mr Abike-Fadipe, however, adjourned the case until February 22 for a hearing of the bail application.

(NAN)