A Federal Capital Territory, FCT, High Court, sitting in Maitama, Abuja, Monday, ordered Marshal David Umoh to be remanded in Kuje Prison over alleged forgery and breach of trust.
Umoh and his company, Dihoen Consult Limited are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Also, it was learnt that Umoh had earlier fled to Ghana when he realized that the EFCC was investigating his alleged fraudulent activities and, the commission subsequently declared him wanted.
EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade said this in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja.
Orilade added, “Ghana soon became inhospitable to David as his employers in the country read the publication. And he had to flee back to Nigeria.
“He was apprehended on his return in the country in April, 2019 by the EFCC and was arraigned today after investigations have been concluded.
“One of the charges reads: “That you, Marshall David Umo and Dihoen Consult Limited, on or about the 27th of May, 2009, in Abuja within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, while being entrusted with certain property to wit: the sum of N10,000,000.00 (Ten Million Naira) by Alhaji Abba Musa Rimi for the purchase of 400,00.00 units of shares of Nigerian Flour Mills did commit criminal breach of trust by dishonestly converting the said sum to your own use and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 311 of the Penalty Code Cap 532 laws of the Federation of Nigeria (Abuja) 2004 and punishable under Section 312 of the same act.”
But the defendant pleaded not guilty, according to Orilade to all the charges. And on this premise, the prosecution counsel, I. G. Odibo, asked the court for a trial date and the defendant to be remanded in prison custody.
Palpably dissatisfied, the defence counsel, Abel Adaji told the court that he had an application for his client’s bail over which the prosecution counsel protested, saying the application was served the court same morning and that he needed time to respond to it.
As a result, the defence counsel asked for a short adjournment and prayed that the defendant be remanded in EFCC’s custody.
Yet, the prosecution counsel objected to the prayer, arguing that the accused be remanded in prison custody as he was already in court.
In his ruling, Justice Salisu Garba adjourned the matter to Friday, May 17, for hearing of the bail application and ordered the defendant to be remanded in Kuje Prison.
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