The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Apo presided over by Justice A. Babashani on Tuesday remanded a 29-year-old female shop assistant, Nkechi Joseph Benita, in prison following her arraignment by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Abuja Zonal Office, for alleged misappropriation of the sum of N6 million entrusted in her hands by her employer.
This was disclosed by the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren on Wednesday.
The one-count charge read: “that you, Nkechi Joseph Benita while being a salesgirl of Corner Resources Nigeria Ltd., sometime in 2019, within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while entrusted with the sum of N6,000,000 million (Six Million Naira) belonging to Corner Resources Nigeria Ltd for the purpose of POS business, committed criminal breach of trust by dishonestly converting the said sum to your own use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 and punishable under Section 312 of the Penal Code Law Cap 532, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 1990.”
After the reading of the charge, she pleaded not guilty.
Counsels to the defendant, Abdulkarim Audu and Ani Patrick, who claimed they were representing their client pro bono, applied orally for her bail.
This was however opposed by the prosecution counsel, Mariya Ujudud Shariff, who informed the court that the defendant had earlier jumped an administrative bail granted by the Commission and extra efforts were made to bring her to court.
She requested that the defendant apply formally to the court for her bail, while further asking the court to remand her in prison custody.
Justice Babashani granted the defendant bail in the sum of N2 million, with two sureties in like sum, who must reside and own a house within the Apo and Garki axis of Abuja.
The matter was adjourned till September 8 for commencement of trial while the defendant was ordered remanded in prison until her bail term is perfected.
Credit:thenigerialawyer
