Indian docked over N13.8m alleged fraud

BY DANIA ONOZURE
LAGOS— An Indian businessman, Patrick Fernadez, was yesterday arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, before an Ikeja High Court, for fraudulently obtaining phones valued at N13.8million and issuing dud cheque to owners.

Fernadez, who is facing a five-count charge bordering on obtaining by false pretence was arraigned before Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo.

The anti-graft agency said that Fernadez, committed the offence, between March 29 and April 1, 2012, in Ikeja by fraudulently obtaining different types of  phone sets worth N13.8million.

Fernadez was said to have falsely issued a dud cheque after collecting the goods and said that the money will be ready and be paid within one week.

EFCC, also alleged that Fernadez, on or about April 7, 2012, had issued a dud cheque of FCMB No. 10564279, in the sum of N8.150million, which when presented for payment was returned unpaid on the grounds of insufficient funds in the account.

According to EFCC, the offence is contrary to section 1(3) of the advanced fee fraud and other fraud related offences Act 14, 2006, issuance of dud cheque contrary to section 1(1) of dis-honoured cheques Act laws of Federation, of Nigeria 2004.

Earlier when the charges was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty to all the charges proffered against him by the EFCC.

However Justice Adeniyi Onigbanjo, granted him bail in the sum of N2million, with two sureties in like sum.

Onigbanjo, added that the defendant should deposit his international travelling documents to the commission and he asked that the defendant be remanded in Ikoyi prison custody, pending when he can perfect is bail application.

He adjourned the matter to September 17 and 19, for trial.