On Thursday, a 38-year-old businesswoman, Jacinta Afolabi, was arraigned in a Kaduna magistrates’ court for defrauding her friend of N2.4 million.

Ms Afolabi, a resident of Maraba Rido, Kaduna, is facing a one-count charge of fraud.

She, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The prosecutor, Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant fraudulently obtained N2.4 million from her friend, Rita Aaron, the complainant, to supply 60 bags of dry pepper.

Mr Leo said the defendant did not supply the bags of pepper, nor did she return the complainant’s money, knowing fully that her intention was to dupe her.

The prosecutor added that all efforts made by the complainant to get her money proved abortive.

He said the offence contravened Section 308 and was punishable under Section 309 of the Penal Code of Kaduna State, 2017.

“Section 309 stipulates imprisonment of not less than four years if found guilty,” the prosecutor said.

Counsel to the defendant, Stephen Olaleye, applied for bail for his client in the most liberal terms.

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

Mr Emmanuel said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction, and an affidavit of means, evidence of tax payments, and two passport-sized photographs must be attached.

He adjourned the case until May 19 for a hearing.

(NAN)