The police on Wednesday arraigned a 38-year-old man, Aaron James, before the Kaduna Magistrates’ Court for defrauding his brother of N4.8 million.

Mr James, a resident of Barnawa, Kaduna, is standing trial on two counts of fraud and stealing.

He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The prosecutor, Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometime in December 2025, at Bayan Dutse in Kaduna.

He alleged that the defendant obtained N4.8 million from his older brother, Mr Nathan, under the pretence of selling him three plots of land.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant never sold the land to the complainant but converted the money to his personal use.

He added that all the complainant’s efforts to recover the money proved abortive.

The offences contravene sections 217 and 309 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017. Section 217 stipulates a five-year prison sentence for stealing, while Section 309 provides for a minimum four-year prison term.

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

Mr Emmanuel said the sureties must reside within the court’s jurisdiction and provide evidence of tax payment to the Kaduna government.

He adjourned the case until May 12 for a hearing.

(NAN)