By BARTHOLOMEW MADUKWE
LAGOS—A Lagos State High Court has remanded a female architect, Nwanne Emeh, in Kirikiri Prison, Lagos for allegedly defrauding the Managing Director of Natuhab Consultants Limited, Mr Uche Kennedy of various sums of money, totaling N45 million.

Emeh, a former staff of  Natuhab Consultants, was alleged to have supervised a contract by the Nigerian Army for the building of multiple housing units in Abuja.

Natuhab Consultants claimed that series of payments were allegedly made into Emeh’s accounts upon her request, to facilitate the completion of the project, including a N131 million, allegedly transferred into her personal account.

Natuhab Consultants complained that when it visited the site for inspection, it was discovered that she only spent N86 million out of the N131 million she received on the project and allegedly converted N45 million for personal use.

When the charges were read to her, the accused, who was arraigned on a 16-count charge of stealing, by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, pleaded not guilty.

The prosecution counsel, asked the court for a date for the commencement of trial, while the defence counsel, pleaded with the court that the accused be remanded in EFCC custody, alleging that she suffered multiple complications due to series of operations she had last year.

The matter was however, adjourned till May 23.