A husband and wife, Martin Ogiator and Wuraola Ogiator, have been arraigned in a Wuse Zone 2 Magistrates’ Court, Abuja, for allegedly defrauding one Uchenna Ademiluyi of N71.3m.
The defendants were being charged for conspiracy, breach of trust, cheating and misappropriation.
The couple, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The police prosecutor, Umoh Inah, said Ademiluyi, a resident of 36 Drive, Prince and Princess Estate, Kaura, Abuja, reported the case at a police station.
Inah said the couple, who live in Efab Estate, Lokogoma, fraudulently obtained the money through their bank accounts under false pretences that they would execute contracts in some Federal Government agencies.
“It was, however, discovered that they both conspired and diverted the money into personal use,” he said
He added that the offences contravened the provisions of Sections 97, 312, 322 and 309 of the Penal Code.
The Magistrate, Abdulmajid Oniyangi, admitted the defendants to bail in N20m each with two sureties in like sum.
He ordered that the sureties must have means of livelihood and reside within the jurisdiction of the court, and that the sureties must submit their letters of employment, confirmation and last promotion.
According to the magistrate, if the sureties are business owners, their businesses should be registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission and their tax clearance certificates submitted to the court’s registrar.
He adjourned the case till June 5.
