Man remanded in prison custody for duping judge

 BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE

BENIN-An Oredo Chief Magistrate Court sitting in Benin City, yesterday, ordered  the remand of a middle-aged man in prison custody for allegedly duping an Edo State High Court judge, Justice Roland Amaize, of the sum of N900,000.

The accused person, Segun Orisanmi, aged 43, was alleged to have, on  February 18, 2011 at the First City Monumental  Bank on Akpakpava  Road, Benin City, collected the money with a view to sinking bore-hole for the judge.

A counsel in the state Ministry of Justice, Mrs. O. Gaja, for the prosecution, while opposing  the bail for the accused person,  told the court that when the police was called into the matter, the accused person promised  to execute  the project but  after his release from the Police Station, he jumped bail.

Mrs. Gaja said the accused was later re-arrested through his surety and charged to court.

Presiding Chief Magistrate, Mr. Peter Edo-Asemota consequently remanded the accused person in prison custody and adjourned further hearing till June 6,  2011.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge, punishable under section 419 of the Criminal Code Cap 48 Vol II laws of the defunct Bendel State of Nigeria as applicable in Edo State.