A 39-year-old farmer, Shuaibu Garba, has been arraigned before a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court for defrauding his friend of N7 million.

The defendant, who resides at Rumi Village, Ikara LGA, is facing a one-count charge of fraud.

The prosecutor, Chidi Leo, told the court that Illiyasu Balarabe of Ungwan Rosa Kaduna reported the matter at the state criminal investigation and intelligence department for further investigation on February 6.

According to the prosecutor, sometimes in 2024, the complainant entrusted N7 million to the defendant to help him buy bags of dry pepper for storage.

Mr Leo said the defendant bought the pepper, sold it, and converted the proceeds for personal use without the complainant’s knowledge.

“Since then, the complainant has been telling the defendant to return his money, but all his efforts to get the money from the defendant proved abortive,” he said.

The prosecutor noted that the offence contravened Section 243 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

The magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail of N500,000 and two sureties in like sum.

The magistrate directed that one of the sureties must be a blood relative to the defendant and must reside within the jurisdiction of the court.

The magistrate also ordered that the sureties must be gainfully employed, while their addresses must be verified by the court’s registrar.

He adjourned the case until April 7 for hearing. 

(NAN)