A 42-year-old trader, Sani Garba, was on Wednesday arraigned in Kaduna over alleged N4.5 million fraud.

Mr Garba, who resides in the Malali area of Kaduna, is facing a count charge of fraud before the Kaduna Chief Magistrates’ Court.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offence in March at 10:00 a.m. at Kawo Market, Kaduna.

Mr Leo said that the defendant collected goods worth N4.5 million from a distributor, Umar Kabiru, with an agreement that he would remit the money after sales but failed to do so.

He said that the defendant converted the money to his personal use.

“He started avoiding the complainant and was using other distributors to get supplies,” said the prosecutor.

He said the offence contravened Section 344 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

Section 344 prescribes a 10-year jail term for fraud.

The Chief Magistrate, Ibrahim Emmanuel, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Mr Emmanuel ordered that the sureties should be gainfully employed and provide evidence of tax payment to the Kaduna State government.

He said that one of the sureties must be a blood relative of the defendant.

Mr Emmanuel adjourned the case until August 29 for mention. 

(NAN)