The police on Wednesday, dragged 38-year-old Aaron James, before a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court, for allegedly defrauding his brother of N4.8 million.
James, a resident of Barnawa Kaduna, is standing trial for fraud and stealing.
He, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The prosecutor, Insp. Chidi Leo, told the court that the defendant committed the offences in December 2025, at Bayan Dutse in Kaduna.
He alleged that the defendant obtained N4.8 million from his older brother, one Nathan, under the pretence of selling three plots of land to him., adding that the defendant never sold the land to the complainant but converted the money to his personal use.
Leo said all efforts by the complainant to get his money back failed, adding that the offences breached sections 217 and 309 of the Kaduna State Penal Code, 2017 which stipulates a penalty of five years’ imprisonment for stealing, while Section 309 provides for an imprisonment term of not less than four years.
Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted the defendant bail of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum.
Emmanuel said the sureties must reside within the jurisdiction of the court with evidence of tax payment to the Kaduna Government.
He adjourned the case until May 12, for hearing.
